Brand new Marvel characters who joined the MCU in 2023

2023 saw a range of new movies, with an addition to the Ant-Man, Spiderman and Guardians of the Galaxy franchises. Not to mention, the hugely anticipated film, 'The Marvels'. The Marvel series are also ever growing in popularity and are being used to bridge the gaps in the story and introduce new characters to the MCU. We take a look at all the new characters that have been introduced in the MCU in 2023 in both film and TV, as well as a few mega-exciting characters to grace our screens in the coming years.

Release date: February 17, 2023

The first MCU feature film of 2023 brought us to the quantum realm, with rumors linking this to the new set of 'Avengers' films. All the 'Ant-Man' regulars returned, Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Photo: Disney / Marvel

The new Ant-Man film had a great focus on Scott Lang and his daughter, Cassie, who is now grown up and played by Kathryn Newton. In the quantum realm, we were introduced to a new character, Lord Krylar played by Bill Murray, but it is likely it was a one-off appearance. Of course, the new big bad ‘Kang the Conqueror’ caused some trouble for our heroes, played by Jonathan Major.

Photo: Disney / Marvel

Release date: May 5, 2023

With a bigger Groot and, of course, great music 'Guardians 3' did not disappoint. After finding out that Mantis is his half-sister in the Christmas Special, Peter, aka Starlord, set about creating a safe alien commune for refugees.

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We finally got some background story to Rocket. We also got some new characters - Adam Warlock (who appears in the 'Fantastic Four' comics), played by Will Poulter. The world saw Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) as the High Evolutionary, and Maria Bakalova (Borat 2) as Cosmo the Spacedog. But the fun addition here was the ‘The S*** Squad’ star, Daniela Melchior who played a worker at the Orgoscope who helped the Guardians of the Galaxy retrieve the file on 89P13, otherwise known as Rocket.

Photo: Disney / Marvel / Getty Images

Release date: November 9, 2023

We finally got to see Captain Marvel again and this time with sidekicks! Strange forces united this group of superheroes who all have some kind of a connection with Captain Marvel.

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The film linked Marvel’s TV world with characters from Disney + series ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Ms. Marvel'. Of course, Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), played by Iman Vellani, made her MCU cinematic debut - as will Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris who we met in 'WandaVision'. This movie welcomed a new villain, played by Zawe Ashton; and 'Parasite's Park Seo-joon also made his MCU debut in the sequel. Oh, and Goose came back.

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Release date: June 21, 2023

This new TV series ties to 'Captain Marvel'. Remember the Skrulls from Brie Larson's first outing? 'Secret Invasion' is a series revolving around the shape-shifting alien Skrulls. We thought they were bad, then found out they weren’t. However, a faction of these shapeshifting aliens infiltrated many aspects of life on Earth and had sinister plans.

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The series saw Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury return who worked alongside the Skrulls. He was joined by some new characters, including British actress Emilia Clarke - and another great British name: Olivia Coleman. The Oscar winner played, Sonya Falsworth, an old ally of Fury’s.

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Emilia Clarke's character G'iah is now the most powerful being in the Marvel cinematic universe. She became a 'Super Skrull, infusing the DNA of 20 other MCU heroes and villains in the epic 'Secret Invasion' finale. Could she lead the heroes in future?

Release date: December 22 2023

What an amazing first series it was. However, very little has been revealed about the next. We can expect this second series to be heavily impacted by the multiversal shenanigans of 'Multiverse of Madness' and 'Loki', so it’s safe to say that anything can happen.

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Many voices return playing the animated versions of their live action characters. However, as revealed by the Marvel Fandom, we are surprised to see a few alternative voices; including Cynthia McWilliams as Gamora and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff - then we have the return of Lake Bell as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Mick Wingert as Tony Stark/Iron Man.

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Release date: January 2024

Fans of the Netflix-era Marvel series have waited for this one for too long. It has been postponed again into 2024, bringing the likes of Daredevil, Kingpin and the characters of 'Hawkeye' together. There is something for everyone here. Following the events of 'Hawkeye' in New York City, Maya Lopez returns to her hometown, where she must come to terms with her past.

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The focus here is Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox. She debuted in Hawkeye (2021), and now stars in this spin-off series. We get actor Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin (a much-awaited character in the MCU), the return of Charlie Cox as Daredevil, Zahn McClarnon as William Lopez, and Devery Jacobs as Julie.

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Release date: October 5 2023

If you haven't yet seen this sequel series, buckle up and strap yourself in, because you are in for a heck of a ride with season 2. Most of the key players from the first season of 'Loki' returned, including of course Tom Hiddleston as our 'original' Loki, who defied the Time Variance Authority.

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Most were excited about the addition of 'Goonies' and 'Indiana Jones' actor, Ke Huy Quan. In the role of Ouroboros (O.B.), he is as the TVA’s dedicated handyman and ends up being a crucial part to the story.

Photo: Screenshot trailer by Screen Culture on YouTube

Release date: September 3rd 2025(!)

Anything that is connected to 'Iron Man' is ok with us. Fascinated by the legacy of Iron Man, Riri Williams - a genius M.I.T. student and hobbyist inventor - creates her own suit of armour that rivals the capabilities of the ones built by Tony Stark. The show is written as a continuation of the events from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', although there is no official plot yet.

Photo: Disney / Marvel

The character, Ironheart is obviously the biggest addition here, with actress Dominique Thorne shedding more light on the character we briefly met in ‘Wakanda Forever’. New, as yet undisclosed, characters will join the MCU played by actors Alden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Anthony Ramos (In the Heights, Hamilton) and Manny Montana (Good Girls). Actress Lyric Ross (This is Us) is set to play Natalie, Riri’s best friend.

Photo: Disney / Marvel

Release date: Late 2024

Another series postponed from 2023. After the end of the superb 'WandaVision' we wanted more. Well, thankfully, Marvel is delivering. This 'WandaVision' spin-off, revolves around Kathryn Hahn’s scene-stealing neighbor: witch, Agatha Harkness. Described as a 'dark comedy,' expect to see Harkness assembling a team of witchy and magical personalities, based on the title.

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This is the first time in the MCU that a character has their own show without having had their own Marvel Comics series. Emma Caulfield reprises her role from 'WandaVision' as Sarah Proctor but the series is in its early days so not much is known about the characters played by Marvel newcomers Joe Locke, Aubrey Plaza, Eric Andre, and legendary two-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Tony Award winner, Patty LuPone.

Photo: Getty Images

Release date: November 2025

It's time to get the image of Wesley Snipes in that black leather suit out of our heads and start thinking about Mahershala Ali as the new vampire hunter Blade. A new film adaptation of the comic will be directed by the almost unknown Bassam Tariq and released in 2025 /postponed(!).

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So early in production, not much is yet known about this reboot. According to the Fandom, Delroy Lindo, Aaron Pierre and Milan Ray have been cast in undisclosed roles.

Photo: Getty Images

Release date: February 2025

Sam Wilson, the hero mostly known as Falcon, played by actor Anthony Mackie, becomes the new Captain America after the miniseries 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021).

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Harrison Ford joins the MCU as Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross. This is another character deriving from the ‘Hulk’ comics and we have seen him before in the 'Avengers' films and 'Black Widow', but played by Sam Elliott. The film also features actor, director, singer, and playwright Tim Blake Nelson as villain, 'The Leader' (Samuel Sterns). Sabra, a mutant who serves as a Mossad agent, will be played by Israeli actress, Shira Haas.

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