Lion Forge Entertainment has closed a multi-season distribution deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), to bring the acclaimed animated series Iyanu to Australian audiences. 

The ABC has acquired exclusive free-to-air television rights, free streaming rights, and premiere rights for the territory. Season one will debut on ABC iview on September 26th and broadcast on ABC Entertains weekdays at 8am on September 29th, with season 2 planned in 2026.

Iyanu is produced by Lion Forge Entertainment, the Emmy®-winning company behind the Oscar-winning Hair Love. Adapted from Roye Okupe’s graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics (the powerhouse behind The Umbrella Academy and Hellboy), the show is helmed by Okupe himself, who was born and raised in Nigeria and now serves as Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner.

The ABC deal marks the latest milestone in Iyanu’s global expansion. The series first launched in the U.S. on HBO Max and Cartoon Network, quickly becoming a cross-platform sensation, ranking as the #1 kids series on Cartoon Network and a Top 10 Kids & Family title on HBO Max. Shortly after its debut, a second season, along with two feature films expanding its universe, were greenlit by HBO Max and Cartoon Network. Meanwhile, the series premiered on Showmax across 44 African countries in June, where it quickly became the #1 title in the Kids & Family category, followed by a UK debut on ITVX in July.

Drawing on Nigerian culture, music, and mythology, season one follows Iyanu, a young orphan living in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland. While studying history and ancient arts, she yearns for a normal life—until a looming threat awakens divine powers not seen since the legendary Age of Wonders. Accompanied by newfound friends Biyi, Toye, and a magical leopard named Ekun, Iyanu sets out to uncover the source of this evil, unlocking her destiny along the way.Season 2 finds Iyanu facing a powerful new enemy as tensions rise across Yorubaland. With ancient magic reawakening, the fight for balance has only just begun.

Iyanu features an all-African voice cast led by award-winning actress Serah Johnson as Iyanu, alongside African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) winner and Vogue US cover star Adesua Etomi-Wellington, three-time AMAA nominee Stella Damasus, multi-award-winner Blossom Chukwujekwu, and Shaffy Bello (The Black Book). 

Story editor Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron; Marvel’s Agent Carter) headed the Iyanu writers’ room, alongside Emmy winner Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins; Ada Twist, Scientist).

Executive producers on the series include David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group, Doug Schwalbe of Superprod, and Roye Okupe of YouNeek Studios, who also serves as the series creator and showrunner.

Lion Forge Entertainment Founder and CEO David Steward II says, “Iyanu is a dynamic superhero rooted in rich worldbuilding, packed with action and filled with a fun sense of adventure. It’s been inspiring to see audiences in the US, UK, and Africa connect with the series, and we’re excited to now partner with the ABC to bring even more families into Iyanu’s epic journey.”

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Categories: Press Releases

Tags: ABC, australia, iyanu