The Cartoon Network series IYANU debuts Saturday, April 5 and will be available for streaming on Max the following Sunday, according to a recent Max media release. An official  trailer for the series was released Feb. 17, building up anticipation among fans. 

The new series follows a Nigerian orphan girl named Iyanu, played by Serah Johnson,  who lives in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland. After dark forces are reawakened, Iyanu and her friends search to find the source.  The series pulls elements of its story from Nigerian culture, music and mythology, noted by Max. 

The show is based on the graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by Roye Okupe, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics (publishers of The Umbrella Academy, Hellboy). Roye Okupe, who is originally from Nigeria, also serves as Creator, Executive Producer, and Showrunner for the series. Okupe is producing the show alongside Lion Forge Entertainment. 

“It has been a hero’s journey for Roye and the team to bring this ambitious and stunning series to Cartoon Network and Max,” said Michael Ouweleen, President of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim in the media release. “This April, we all get to benefit from years of their effort and enter the super unique world they have created, filled with magic, mysterious enemies and divine powers.”

The official trailer was posted Feb. 17 and has over 5,000 views. The minute long trailer includes various clips from the show, with a voiceover by Johnson explaining the premise. 

Other members of the cast include Okey Jude (Red Butterflies, The Governor’s Daughter)  as Biyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington (King of Boys, Gangs of Lagos) as Olori, Blossom Chukwujekwu (Day of Destiny, 07.03) as Kanfo, Stella Damasus (Gone,Between) as Sewa,Shaffy Bello (Voiceless Scream, Last Straw)  as Emi and Ike Ononye (Rouge, Doc Martin) as Elder Alapani.

 Members of the production team include David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Roye Okupe of YouNeek Studios, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group and Doug Schwalbe of Superprod.