Insights From the Cast and Creative Staff of Marvel’s ‘Echo’

Wrapping up our coverage of Marvel Studios’ newest series Echo, here’s three interviews I conducted with cast members Devery Jacobs (Bonnie) and Chaske Spencer (Henry), director Sydney Freeland, and executive producer Richie Palmer.

Chaske and Devery talk about their experiences working on Native American-centered projects, and their thoughts on learning ASL for the show. Devery elaborates on the creative choice to change Echo the TV character’s background from Cheyenne to Choctaw.

And, because it’s me, we talk a little about karaoke (Chaske’s a Springsteen’s “Born To Run” guy, Devery’s go-to is No Doubt’s “Spiderwebs.”)

Director Sydney Freeland (Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) discussed her approach for filming a deaf character who uses sign language as their primary mode of communication, and comments on the doors opening for Native and Indigenous perspectives in genre filmmaking.

Producer Richie Palmer gives us background on the “Marvel Spotlight” banner, which allows for mature-content superheroing and, more importantly, emphasizes stand-alone stories for audiences who don’t wish to get bogged down in the homework on Marvel Universe lore. This aspect really stands out in Echo, which lives and breathes on its own (it helps if you know who Daredevil is, but it’s hardly essential). As a Marvel fan who loves the interconnectivity of the MCU but also likes a story with a beginning-middle-end, I truly appreciate that the Spotlight projects will have this stated intentionality. Richie also gives us just a little hint as to what may be upcoming for Maya Lopez in Daredevil: Born Again.

Marvel’s Echo is streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu. Our full reviews of the show are here (by Mike) and here (by me). TLDR: Alaqua Cox is amazing, don’t sleep on this one. Oh, and….