Voice Actor Hudson Thames Opens Up About “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”

Hudson Thames
Hudson Thames at Primary Wave's 17th Annual Pre-Grammy Party Celebrating Billboard No. 1s, Los Angeles, California, USA - 3 Feb 2024. Photo by Scott Kirkland/Shutterstock (14329828db)

As Disney+ prepares to premiere Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man on January 29, 2025, voice actor Hudson Thames has opened up about his initial concerns regarding the show. According to Collider, Thames, who reprises his role as Peter Parker from What If…?, was apprehensive that the animated series would be “annoying and woke,” but after reading the script, he was pleased with the outcome.

“I thought it was awesome. I mean, my biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn’t,” Thames said in an interview with Collider. “I was like, ‘Yes, this is great, it’s so well written,’ like it feels real. I’m the oldest of five boys, so I feel like I kind of know what’s happening in their lives and in high school, and it felt like it was doing that justice,” as reported by Variety.

The term “woke” has become a polarizing issue in entertainment circles, often used pejoratively to criticize what some perceive as an overemphasis on social justice themes. For many, the word is associated with increased diversity and inclusion, a trend that has been embraced by much of Hollywood, particularly in animated shows like Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

Despite his initial fears, Thames was impressed by how well the series balanced social themes without overshadowing its core storytelling. The show features a fresh take on familiar Spider-Man characters, including a diverse cast that reflects the multicultural landscape of New York City.

The series introduces new twists to the Spider-Man mythology, including the involvement of Norman Osborn (voiced by Colman Domingo), Harry Osborn (Zeno Robinson), and Otto Octavius (Hugh Dancy). Other notable cast members include Kari Wahlgren as Aunt May and Vincent D’Onofrio reprising his role as Kingpin. The show is set in an alternate version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, exploring Peter Parker’s life as Spider-Man while introducing new heroes and villains to the mix.

Thames’ praise for the series also extends to the writing, which he feels accurately represents the struggles of modern teenagers. As the oldest of five brothers, he believes the show captures the essence of high school life, especially in terms of relationships and personal growth.

Thames’ remarks follow comments from Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man showrunner Jeff Trammell, who explained why the series is set in New York City, emphasizing its rich diversity and accurate portrayal of the many cultures within one of the world’s largest cities. Trammell shared: “Taking place in a sister timeline one universe over allows us quite a bit more freedom and helps us tell stories that don’t necessarily have to go down a familiar route.” He added, “One of the big things we wanted from the series was to not only show Spidey at his peak but also his valleys, he has his fair share of victories but experiences some big losses as well, which will hopefully make him a more adept hero in the long run,” as reported by the Pink News.

Though some fans may be critical of the show’s more progressive themes, the series remains a significant step for Disney and Marvel in their ongoing efforts to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the forefront of their storytelling.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting January 29, 2025. With a strong cast and bold narrative choices, the show is expected to spark conversation about diversity and inclusivity in superhero media, continuing the debate around the term “woke” in popular culture.