Hudson Thames, the voice of Spider-Man in Disney+’s upcoming series *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man*, shared his mixed feelings about playing the role. While he was excited for the opportunity, his biggest fear was that the show would be “woke” and overemphasize social justice issues. However, after reading the script, he reconsidered and deemed it “awesome,” noting it felt real and resonated with him as someone who grew up among five brothers navigating high school life.
The term “woke” is often used to describe those actively aware of and supportive of social justice causes but can also be a derogatory label for those resistant to such themes. Disney has faced backlash in recent years from conservative voices, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, President Trump, and ex-activist investor Nelson Peltz, over promoting what they perceive as woke messages.
Other cast members include Colman Domingo, Kari Wahlgren, Hugh Dancy, Charlie Cox, and Vincent D’Onofrio. Jeff Trammell is the head writer, with Mel Zwyer as supervising director. Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Trammell serve as executive producers.
The series has sparked debate among fans, particularly over how characters like Spider-Man are portrayed. Some have criticized the show for appearing too woke, while others defend it as a bold take on representation. Hudson shared his thoughts, and some fans have expressed frustration over what they view as an overemphasis on social justice issues.
Overall, *Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man* has garnered mixed reactions, with fans split over its portrayal of diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/your-friendly-neighborhood-spider-man-voice-actor-disney-annoying-woke-1236289278