Feature Story
One of Marvel Comics’ most beloved characters gets the TV series treatment Wednesday, June 8, when Disney+ drops the first of six episodes from its brand-new series, “Ms. Marvel.”
Based on the Marvel comic book series of the same name, “Ms. Marvel” tells the origin story of Captain Marvel-obsessed New Jersey teenager turned-superhero Kamala Khan. Portraying Kamala is newcomer Iman Vellani, who hails from Markham, Ontario. While this is Vellani’s first acting gig, she isn’t new to the world of TV and film as she served on the TIFF Next Wave Committee in 2019, alongside 11 other area students who aimed to highlight underrepresented voices in the industry.
Joining Vellani in the “Ms. Marvel” cast is “The Alienist’s” Matt Lintz as Kamala’s confidant, Bruno Carrelli. Lintz also starred alongside two of his siblings on “The Walking Dead” — his brother, Macsen, played a younger version of his character, while his sister, Madison, portrayed Sophia in the series’ first two seasons on AMC.
In a trailer for “Ms. Marvel,” released this March, Kamala appears to live an average, awkward teenage life. She goes from school to prayer to parties, all while daydreaming about what it would all look like if only she were a superhero like those whom she looks up to. Her insecurities become clear when she tells Bruno, “It’s not really the brown girls from Jersey City who save the world.” Well, why not?
In a twist of fate, Kamala discovers a bracelet that, when she snaps it closed around her wrist, transforms her into a superhero called Ms. Marvel. The bracelet appears to give her the ability to slip through time and create cosmic shields and stepping stones.
While her powers may have expanded from Ms. Marvel’s comic book ability to shapeshift, the authenticity of the character is still very much intact. Vellani keeps to the original Kamala’s signature witty personality, and her passion for superheroes and excitement for her own newfound abilities is palpable. Kamala is described in a Disney news release as “an avid gamer and voracious fan-fiction scribe,” and her elaborate self-designed dream world follows her everywhere she goes, until her fantasies become reality when she transforms.
To say that “Ms. Marvel” is a much-anticipated series for Marvel superfans and TV viewers alike is an understatement. A Pakistani American teenager, Ms. Marvel was the first-ever Muslim character to get her own book in 2014 when writer G. Willow Wilson penned the first issue. That representation helped a lot of regular readers connect more directly to the character. It also brought in new fans who were excited to see more diversity in the world of superheroes.
News of Vellani’s casting in the Disney+ series even had Hollywood stars talking in 2020, with fellow Marvel Universe member and “The Big Sick” (2017) star Kumail Nanjiani sharing the following on his Twitter page: “I just saw they cast Ms. Marvel and legit got teary-eyed. Congratulations Iman Vellani! Your work is going to mean so much to so many people, myself included. I can’t wait.”
Actor, writer, director and “The Office” alum Mindy Kaling also took to Twitter, sharing, “What a joy in these trying times to see that #MsMarvel (a Pakistani American teen superhero!) has cast its lead role, a young actress named Iman Vellani! Congrats to you! I can’t wait to see the show!”
In more good news for anyone already excited for “Ms. Marvel,” Vellani will also reprise the role of Kamala/ Ms. Marvel in the muchanticipated upcoming 2023 Marvel film, “The Marvels.” That installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is being helmed by director Nia DaCosta, best known for directing 2021’s hit horror sequel “Candyman.” Vellani will be joined in “The Marvels” by fellow MCU members and favorites Brie Larson (“Room,” 2015) as Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris (“Mad Men”) as Monica Rambeau and Samuel L. Jackson (“Shaft” 2019) as Nick Fury.
As Disney+ continues to roll out a slew of Marvel Universe TV shows, “Ms. Marvel” is the first to live largely within the realm of teen dramedy.The streamer broke Marvelseries ground with “WandaVision” in early 2021 and has since followed suit with “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier,” “Loki,” “Hawkeye” and “Moon Knight” — all of which are huge streaming successes.
The genre’s popularity makes it all the more likely that there will be more “Ms. Marvel” to come after its first six-episode season.