Marvel's The Inhumans: Story Details, Release Date and More

Marvel's Inhumans TV series is currently filming in Hawaii, and other than the full cast list (which you can find below), information about which angle the show is taking has been rather scarce.

But ABC has let a new synopsis out into the world, which gives us our first indication of the approach they're taking to Marvel's weirdest royal family.

After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where their surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them may prove to not only save them, but Earth itself.

So, this puts to rest any speculation that Hawaii would be doubling for Atillan on the show. Instead, we're getting a decidedly Earth-based (and perhaps more TV budget friendly) approach to the team. On the other hand, the first two episodes are getting a theatrical release (more on that in a minute) so we may get some of the more "out there" big set elements before the team comes to Earth.

The Inhumans Poster

Marvel's The Inhumans is starting to feel very real with the official unveiling of the ABC series' debut promo poster. While there's not much there, content-wise, it's probably enough to whet appetites, especially with the unmissable splendor of a symbol familiar to fans of the classic Marvel Comics lore that's notably affixed on the costume of team leader Black Bolt, who will be played by former Hell on Wheels star Anson Mount.

The Inhumans Release Date

The first two episodes of The Inhumans TV series will screen in IMAX theaters for two weeks beginning September 1st before it bows on ABC on September 26th, and apparently those episodes will also contain footage that wasn't in the big screen versions. Whew.

Uh-oh, Agents of SHIELD fans...September 26th is a Tuesday. Does this signal the end of Agents of SHIELD, currently in its fourth season but relegated to an odd timeslot of 10 pm? We'll update this with more information as it becomes available.

The Inhumans Cast

Well, this Inhumans TV series coming to ABC is sure assembling an impressive cast. Marvel has tapped a familiar showrunner to make the show a reality: Scott Buck, who worked as showrunner on March's Iron Fist (and, of course) Dexter.

And the leader of the Inhumans, arguably the most iconic Inhuman of them all, has also been cast. Anson Mount, loved by fans of AMC's excellent western Hell on Wheels will play Black Bolt, " the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city."

“Anson loves the challenge of playing a character who will only communicate silently,” said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television and Executive Producer in a statement. “His enthusiasm mixed with his imposing almost regal persona made it easy to see why he is our Black Bolt.”

“Black Bolt is a character whose deep complexity must be conveyed without uttering a single word," added Scott Buck, "and I’m very excited to have Anson on board to bring him to life.”

The promo image that accompanies the announcement is appropriately Black Bolt-ish, too.

Iwan Rheon will play Maximus, who has been described in previous character descriptions as the "clever and charming Inhuman that is fiercely devoted to the people of Attilan, especially his brother, Black Bolt –though he harbors an intense desire to wear the crown himself." 

Secretly covets power? Yeah, we'd say that is in Rheon's wheelhouse. The Welsh actor previously played power-mad Ramsay Bolton on Game of Thrones.

Serinda Swan (of Graceland fame) will play Medusa, "Queen of the Inhumans and wife of Black Bolt — his most trusted advisor, a fiercely resilient warrior who has the ability to move and control her hair the way most people use their hands and fingers." 

“Serinda empowers Medusa’s regal glory and still maintains a relatability that synced perfectly with the character,” said Jeph Loeb, Head of Marvel Television and Executive Producer in a statement. “She is nothing short of wonderful.”

Ken Leung (Lost, The Sopranos) has been cast as Karnak, "Black Bolt's cousin and closest advisor." According to the official character description, "His gift is an ability to see the fault in all things — people, plans, structures, everything. He’s Black Bolt’s most ardent supporter and strategist and is often seen as the royal family’s planner and philosopher."

“Ken brings both a wisdom and a power to the role that no one else could match. His Karnak will be awesome,” said executive producer Jeph Loeb in a statement.

Eme Ikwuakor is Gorgon, "Cousin of Black Bolt (Anson Mount), member of the Royal family, and leader of Attilan’s military. With super strong legs, complete with hooves, he can generate destructive seismic waves with a single stomp. The yin to his cousin Karnak’s (Ken Leung) yang, Gorgon would rather fight than talk to solve his problems."

Isabelle Cornish is Crystal, "the youngest member of the royal family and has the ability to control the elements. Impetuous and independent she is also deeply devoted to her family."

Mike Moh is Triton, "Black Bolt’s cousin, he’s calm under pressure and supremely athletic. His gift is his fish-like ability to live underwater."

Sonya Balmores is Auran, "Head of the Royal Guards on Attilan, a capable and no-nonsense woman. She is fiercely loyal to the King of Attilan."

Ellen Woglom is also playing an "undisclosed character" described as "smart, intense, and focused—so focused that oftentimes, social skills take a back seat. Her job at a private aerospace company is her life, second only to her passion for all things space and lunar. She’s primed to be swept up in an adventure."

Any idea who this one might be?

But most importantly, Lockjaw will be on the show! "Crystal’s 2,000 lb canine companion; he is a two-thousand-pound dog (yes, a dog!) with the ability to teleport." 

This cast makes us even more excited to see Inhumans, which already had a lot going for it. 

The first two episodes will be shot entirely using IMAX cameras (which makes that IMAX launch make a little more sense) and that footage for more episodes will also be shot in IMAX, including sequences on the Moon, which is the comic book team's traditional base of operations. Roel Reine will direct the first two episodes, and those are the ones that will play in IMAX theaters for two weeks in September.

Marvel's announcement focused on the innovative marketing of playing this in IMAX theaters before the TV premiere. “This unprecedented alliance represents a bold, innovative approach to launching great TV content for a worldwide audience,” said Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC Television Group in a statement. “It highlights Disney|ABC’s unrelenting commitment to finding new and creative ways to showcasing our very best programming and increasing global engagement and reach.”

The Inhumans Characters

So, you know how Agents of SHIELDhas been using kind of "bargain basement" Inhumans characters on the show? That isn't going to be the case for this. We're going to get the core Inhumans characters, in a big way. That Hashtag Show (who broke a ton of character news about Iron Fist) have the official character descriptions from a casting call sheet, and they confirm everything you want about the series.

The phony "regular person" names on these all correspond to the first letter of the names of the biggest names in the Inhumans world, and the descriptions match accordingly. All are listed as "series regulars" too.

First up, we have "Broderick" who is certainly team leader, Black Bolt:

[BRODERICK] Male. 30-40. Caucasian. Can say volumes with just a look. Strong, thoughtful and private, he’s unaccustomed to being questioned or feeling a need to answer to anyone, to an extent that can verge on arrogance.

"Marjorie" is Medusa:

[MARJORIE] Female. 30-40. Caucasian. An elegant and intelligent advisor to her husband, she struggles to find her place outside of their relationship, as others tend to view her as just a pretty face. Strong and resourceful, she’s not afraid to break the rules when the situation demands it. 

Maximus the Mad:

[MARTY] Male. 30-40. Caucasian. Broderick’s younger brother; he is intelligent, charming and articulate. He comes across as a man of the people but secretly covets power.

Karnak (currently starring in a really cool solo mini-series of his own from Marvel Comics)...

[KEVIN] Male. 30-40. Open. Slight of build, his mind is his greatest asset. Always prepared with a plan, his outlook on life is the glass is always half-empty and often cracked and dirty as well. Though his outlook can be grim he has a droll, dry sense of humor.

Gorgon:

[GRADY] Male. 25-35. Open. Impetuous and brash, he has serious impulse control issues which frequently get him into trouble whether its women, booze or fighting. He loves life and lives in the moment for better or worse.

Crystal:

[CHRISTINE] Female. 18-25 to play 18. Caucasian. Soulful but still learning the ways of the world, she has the arrogance of youth. Impetuous and independent she is also deeply devoted to her family.

Triton:

[TIMOTHY] Male. 25-35. Open. SFXMU required. Supremely athletic. The ultimate picture of cool. He’s calm under pressure and willing to do anything to get the job done.

The full report from That Hashtag Show is here.

And if you want to learn more about the roots of the Inhumans and why these characters are important, we've got just the article for you.

Buy Inhumans Comics on Amazon

We'll update this with more info as it becomes available.