Spider-Man voice actor fears show could be "annoying and woke," praises Disney+ series

Hudson Thames, the voice actor behind Spider-Man in the new Disney+ animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, opened up about his initial concerns regarding the show. 

Speaking with Collider, Thames admitted that his "biggest fear" was that the series would come across as “annoying and woke.” However, after reading the script, he was pleasantly surprised by the show’s authenticity and strong writing.

“I thought it was awesome. My biggest fear was that it was gonna be annoying and woke, and it wasn’t,” Thames shared. “It felt real and well written, like it was doing justice to what high school life is actually like.”

Thames' comments come amid growing criticism of Disney and its perceived “woke” messaging in recent years. Disney has faced backlash from conservative groups, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former activist investor Nelson Peltz, for promoting diverse and inclusive content.

The upcoming series, which premiered on Disney+ on January 29, stars Thames as Spider-Man alongside other notable actors such as Colman Domingo, Kari Wahlgren, and Hugh Dancy. The show features a diverse cast and is aimed at bringing new dimensions to the beloved superhero, keeping it grounded in modern high school experiences.

Thames, the oldest of five brothers, noted that the show resonated with his personal life, making it feel even more genuine. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man promises to bring exciting new adventures to fans while avoiding the pitfalls of overly politicized messaging.