Hawkeye premiered with its first two episodes on November 24, 2021, and ran for six episodes, concluding on December 22. It is part ofPhase Four of the MCU. The series received positive reviews, with critics highlighting the action sequences and the chemistry between Renner and Steinfeld. A spin-off series,Echo, focusing on Cox's characterMaya Lopez / Echo, was released on January 9, 2024, as part ofPhase Five.
Jeremy Renner asClint Barton / Hawkeye: A master archer and a formerAvenger and agent ofS.H.I.E.L.D.[4] The series further explores the character's time asRonin, as first shown in the filmAvengers: Endgame (2019).[5] Renner said that meeting Kate Bishop brings "an onslaught of problems" into Barton's life,[6] as Barton does not understand her obsession with him.[7] DirectorRhys Thomas felt Barton had a compelling "strength of character" that exists "hidden underneath an imperfect and complex surface".[8]: 2
Hailee Steinfeld asKate Bishop: A 22-year-old Hawkeye fan who becomes Barton's protégée and is trained to take over the mantle of Hawkeye.[6][9] Bishop idolizes Barton because she realizes she could train to be like him one day.[8]: 3 She draws the attention of Barton by masquerading as Ronin.[10] Steinfeld described Bishop as "smart and witty" and a "badass", with physical abilities that are "through the roof",[11] while Renner said she has "a wonderfully annoying and equally charming manner about her".[6] DirectorBert described Bishop as "full of rookie energy; she's feisty and strong-willed with a deep desire to prove herself" and "a refreshing confidence",[8]: 3 as well as the "comedy foil" to Barton'sstraight man.[8]: 4 Steinfeld learned archery because Bishop is "self-taught" and felt it was an important aspect of her character since she idolizes Barton.[12] Clara Stack plays a young Kate Bishop.[13]
Tony Dalton asJack Duquesne: Eleanor's new fiancé and Armand's nephew.[14] The character does not serve as Barton's mentor in the series as he does in the comics.[15] Dalton believed his reputation for portraying antagonists helped conceal the twist of his character's friendly nature.[16]
Florence Pugh asYelena Belova: A highly trained spy and assassin who is hunting Barton for his supposed role in her adoptive sisterNatasha Romanoff's death.[25][28] Pugh said that Belova is continuing "what she's good at, and despite her sister not being there, she's back working", though her mission to hunt Barton "sets up a whole different challenge".[28]
Vincent D'Onofrio asWilson Fisk / Kingpin: Acrime lord in New York whom Eleanor has connections with. D'Onofrio reprises his role from theMarvel Television seriesDaredevil (2015–2018).[29] On Kingpin's portrayal in the series, directorsBert & Bertie said they wanted to take into account the character's presence that was established inDaredevil.[30] D'Onofrio considered the role a continuation of his portrayal inDaredevil, with a difference in physical strength but still operating "through the pain of his childhood". He played the character considering that Fisk had regained power after losing status duringthe Blip.[31] He added that the portrayal was "done with an eye on connecting as many dots fromDaredevil toHawkeye as possible", but acknowledged that some aspects, such as his enhanced physical strength, could not connect back.[32] After gaining 40 pounds (18 kg) for the role inDaredevil, D'Onofrio chose to wear afat suit for the series. D'Onofrio thought the suit had progressed with modern technology to give him a more realistic look while also being lighter to wear, which allowed him to not have to gain the weight.[33]
Recurring in the series areCarlos Navarro as Enrique, an enforcer for the Tracksuit Mafia;[34] Ben Sakamoto, Ava Russo, and Cade Woodward reprising their respective roles as Barton's children Cooper, Lila, and Nathaniel from prior MCU films;[35] Jolt, aGolden Retriever, playingLucky the Pizza Dog, Kate's adopted dog;[9][36] Clayton English, Adetinpo Thomas, Robert Walker-Branchaud, and Adelle Drahos respectively as Grills,[21]Wendy Conrad,[37] Orville,[38] and Missy, all NYCLARPers who befriend and help Barton and Bishop;[21] and Ivan Mbakop asNYPD Detective Caudle.[21]
In 2012, during theBattle of New York,[a] a youngKate Bishop witnessesClint Barton battling theChitauri and aspires to become a hero like him after he inadvertently saves her life. In the present, Barton spends time with his children in New York for Christmas. Meanwhile, Kate attends acharity auction gala with her motherEleanor and learns that her mother is engaged toJack Duquesne. Underneath the gala, Kate stumbles onto a black market auction featuring items recovered from the remains of theAvengers Compound,[b] finding Duquesne and his uncle Armand III among the attendees. The auction is interrupted by theTracksuit Mafia, who attempt to recover a watch among the items. As Duquesne steals Barton'sRonin sword, Kate recovers Barton's Ronin suit and defeats the mafia members while wearing it. After rescuing a stray dog she later names "Lucky the Pizza Dog", she escapes to her apartment before tracking down Armand to investigate further, but discovers that Armand has been murdered in his home and is cornered by the Tracksuit Mafia after fleeing the crime scene. Barton, who saw a news report of the Ronin's return, rescues Kate from the gangsters.
Kate takes Barton back to her apartment, but they are attacked by the Tracksuit Mafia and forced to evacuate, leaving the Ronin suit behind. After relocating to the apartment of Kate's vacationing aunt, Barton sends his children back home, promising to rejoin them by Christmas Day. He escorts Kate to her workplace, then recovers the Ronin suit fromFDNY member Grills at aLARP event. Later, Kate fails to convince Eleanor of Duquesne's involvement in Armand's death. After challenging Duquesne to a fencing duel, she tries to contact Barton, not knowing that he has allowed himself to be captured by the Tracksuit Mafia. She tracks down Barton's location, but ends up being captured herself, and the gang informs their boss,Maya Lopez, of what happened.
Maya interrogates Barton and Bishop about Ronin, who killed her father William years prior. Barton manages to free himself and fend off the Tracksuit Mafia, though Maya breaks his hearing aid in the process. After Kate is freed, the pair escape using Barton's trick arrows and get his hearing aid fixed. While moving to another location, Maya's lieutenantKazi advises her not to get into trouble with her "uncle". Intending to learn more about the Tracksuit Mafia as well as Duquesne, Kate convinces Barton to infiltrate Eleanor's penthouse and use her company account to access Bishop Security's criminal database. However, Kate is locked out of the system while attempting to bypass security while Barton encounters Duquesne, who threatens him with Ronin's sword.
Barton defuses the situation after Eleanor and Duquesne recognize him as an Avenger. Eleanor asks him to keep Kate out of his investigation and later contacts an unknown person to inform them of the situation. With the help of his wifeLaura, Barton secretly recovers his sword and discovers that Duquesne is the CEO of Sloan Limited, a shell corporation that launders money for the Tracksuit Mafia, while Kate deduces that Barton was Ronin. Barton locates Kazi and asks him to talk Maya out of her vendetta against Ronin while Kate enlists a group of LARPers in retrieving Barton's trick arrows. Afterwards, Laura informs Barton that the watch the Tracksuit Mafia stole is sending out tracking signals from an apartment building. Barton and Kate go to retrieve it, but find it in Maya's apartment, where she also keeps notes on Barton and his family. Maya attacks Kate while Barton is ambushed by a masked assassin. A fight ensues between the four combatants, with Kate injuring Maya, forcing her to retreat, while Barton unmasks his assailant,Yelena Belova, who also escapes. Barton decides that he cannot keep putting Kate in danger and breaks off their partnership.
In 2018, Yelena and fellow Black Widow Sonya, who have been helping deprogrammed Black Widows, reunite with another former Widow, Ana, and Yelena becomes a victim ofthe Blip. In the present, Kate returns to Eleanor's house and tells her about Duquesne's shell corporation, leading Eleanor to call theNYPD and have him arrested. Kate returns to her apartment, where she finds Yelena waiting for her before the latter reveals her past and mission to kill Barton.[c] Meanwhile, after recovering at Grills' apartment, Barton dons the Ronin suit and confronts Maya at the auto shop where he killed her father. During the fight, he unmasks himself and attempts to convince her to let go of her vendetta and leave his family alone. He reveals that an informant working for Maya's boss wanted her father dead, but Maya initially disbelieves him. Kate arrives to help Barton escape, while Maya becomes suspicious of Kazi, who was absent on the night of her father's death. The next day, Yelena texts Kate, revealing that she was hired by Eleanor to kill Barton and that Eleanor is working with Maya's "uncle",Wilson Fisk, whom Barton identifies as Kingpin.
As Eleanor meets with Fisk to break off their partnership, Barton and Kate watch a recording of them and learn that Eleanor killed Armand and framed Duquesne. On Christmas Eve, Barton and Kate attend Eleanor's holiday party, where Kate confronts her mother and learns her father owed money to Fisk, leading to Eleanor working with him. Kazi attempts to assassinate Eleanor on Fisk's orders, but targets Barton instead. Barton enlists help from Grills, the LARPers, and Duquesne to evacuate the party before rejoining Kate to defeat the Tracksuit Mafia. After Maya incapacitates Kazi, Kate attempts to look for Eleanor while Barton is confronted by Yelena, who demands the truth ofNatasha Romanoff's death. They fight, but he reminds her of his friendship with Romanoff and her sacrifice to save the entire universe.[b] Yelena spares him and leaves. Fisk tries to stop Eleanor from escaping, but Kate arrives and incapacitates him with Barton's trick arrows. Afterwards, Eleanor is arrested by the police for Armand's murder. Fisk escapes but is confronted by Maya as a gunshot is heard. The next day, Barton returns to his family with Kate and Lucky, returns the watch to Laura, and burns the Ronin suit.
Star Jeremy Renner promoting the series at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
By September 2018,Marvel Studios was developing several limited series for its parent companyDisney's streaming service,Disney+, to be centered on supporting characters from theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)films who had not starred in their own films.[43] By April 2019, an adventure series starringJeremy Renner as his MCU film characterClint Barton / Hawkeye was in development. Barton was expected to bequeath the mantle of Hawkeye to a new character,Kate Bishop, in the series. Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feige was set to produce the limited series, which would run for six to eight episodes.[4] Feige officially announcedHawkeye atSan Diego Comic-Con in July 2019.[44] Renner originally signed on to star in a standalone feature film focused on his character, but agreed to star in a series instead after Feige decided to redevelop the project for Disney+;[45] Marvel Studios believed a series allowed them to explore Barton's backstory, introduce Bishop, and develop the two characters' dynamic—which was popular with fans ofMarvel Comics—all of which would have been restricted by a film's two-hour runtime.[46]
Around the series' release, commentators speculated that a potential second season could be made focusing on Bishop.[55][56][57] Though the series was originally intended to be a limited series,[4] Marvel Studios did not classify it as such during its awards campaign and home media release which led to further speculation about the possibility of a second season being made.[58][59][60] When asked about another season, Thomas said he could not talk about future plans but he was open to returning.[61] Renner was asked about a second season in May 2024, following rumors that one was in development with a reduced role for Barton. The actor said he was open to playing Barton again after recovering froma serious accident in 2023, but he had not discussed another season with Marvel and was focused on other projects.[62] In February 2025, Winderbaum gaveHawkeye as an example of an MCU limited series that Marvel felt could be given a second season, and said they were "looking for opportunities to do that". He felt Barton, Bishop, and the series' Christmas setting could be revisited at any point.[63] That May, Renner said he had been approached about a second season but he turned down Marvel Studios' offer for half his first-season salary. Renner believed the reduced offer was due to his accident and said he would have returned if he was offered his first season salary.[64] He said in July, "I'm sure we'll end up doing [a second season ofHawkeye]" alongside other projects with him reprising the role, which he was happy to do and felt physically ready for.[65]
Elisa Climent, Katie Mathewson, Tanner Bean, Erin Cancino, Heather Quinn, and Jenna Noel Frazier serve as writers on the series.[66][67] Quinn served as the on-set writer during filming.[68] When officially announcing the series, Feige and Renner said the series would follow Barton as he teaches Bishop to be a "superhero without superpowers", and would explore more of Barton's time as the vigilanteRonin that was first established in the MCU filmAvengers: Endgame (2019).[5] In October 2019, Tran said the series would explore Barton's past,[69][9] and confirmed that the mantle of Hawkeye would be passed to Bishop.[9] Igla hoped the series would show a more humorous side of the character while further exploring his mentorship role from previous appearances.[70]Hawkeye is influenced byMatt Fraction's run with the character in the comics,[69] and adapts elements such asLucky the Pizza Dog, agolden retriever who is a companion to Barton and Bishop;[9][71] theTracksuit Mafia;[10] and Barton's hearing loss.[71] Igla declared himself a fan of that title, which he read while working on the television seriesMad Men (2007–2015), for its approach in telling what a superhero does in his off days, as well as a "comforting and relaxing" nature he likened to the Christmas films from theHallmark Channel.[72] The influence was also seen in how Barton has a "lightheartedness" to him that was not seen in his past appearances,[46] and the desire to highlight the "bond and partnership" between him and Bishop, despite Renner's version of the character being different from the comics version, including the banter the two have in Fraction's run.[73] Feige was excited to explore the MCU version of Barton adapted into the tone from Fraction's run, and exploring "What would it be like if he was thrust into that street level, New York City realm?".[74] Fraction served as a consultant for the series, and had planned to make acameo appearance as a Tracksuit Mafia member before theCOVID-19 pandemic prevented this.[75]
Hawkeye is set in New York City around theChristmas season of 2024, one year following the events ofAvengers: Endgame,[7][2] with Tran noting that many, but not all, of New York's citizens have "recuperated and continued thriving" followingthe Blip.[7] Renner described the series as being set in the "current" MCU, while occurring over the course of about a week.[76] Thomas noted that it had been discussed during development to set the series two years afterEndgame in 2025.[2] Further discussing the holiday setting, Tran said it "made sense" to have Barton's story set during that time since he would be focused on spending Christmas with his family after losing them during the Blip,[46] and the "holiday spirit" would provide a "different atmosphere and environment" that would contrast to Barton's serious demeanor.[73] Feige championed the Christmas setting, requesting to lean further into the holiday since, according to Tran, he felt it was "about the festivity of the holiday season and spending time with family". Tran added that the Christmas setting became "kind of like a character in itself" forHawkeye.[74]
With the series' official announcement in July 2019, Renner was confirmed to be starring in the series as Barton.[44] By early September 2019,Hailee Steinfeld had been offered the role of Kate Bishop,[77] but had not yet signed on for the series a month later.Variety reported one reason for this was anon-compete clause in her contract withApple TV+ for starring in the seriesDickinson (2019–2021), somethingVariety felt Steinfeld would be able to negotiate out of. No other actresses had been approached for the role of Bishop.[78] When asked about her starring in the series shortly after, Steinfeld said it was "not something that's necessarily happening",[79] but she was confirmed as Bishop in December 2020.[25] Tran explained that Steinfeld was never out of contention for the role but Marvel Studios was unable to discuss her involvement until the official announcement and had spent the time since the initial reports attempting to work out how the series could be made with Steinfeld while still being ready for release during the 2021 holiday season.[46]
The series' main title sequence was designed byPerception.[85] Marvel Studios requested that the first episode feature an opening title sequence to chronicle Bishop's story in the years between her appearances before and after the main titles, while the five other episodes featured main-on-end title sequences. Perception used monochromatic silhouettes to represent different characters and elements, and paid homage toDavid Aja'sHawkeye comic book illustrations.[86]
Christophe Beck was revealed to be composing the score for the series in September 2021, after previously doing so for the MCU filmsAnt-Man (2015) andAnt-Man and the Wasp (2018), as well as the Marvel Studios miniseriesWandaVision (2021).[107] He was joined by frequent collaborator Michael Paraskevas as co-composer.[108][109] The score was recorded atSynchron Stage Vienna.[110]
Concept art for the series featuring designs of the characters' costumes was included inExpanding the Universe, a Marvel Studios special that debuted on Disney+ on November 12, 2019.[9] A trailer was released on September 13, 2021. Jeremy Mathai at/Film said everything in the teaser looked "shockingly delightful—from the laid-back, comedic tone" to the chemistry between Steinfeld and Renner. He was enthused about the low-stakes of the series' story with Barton trying to get home for Christmas.[3] Chaim Gartenberg ofThe Verge was drawn to the teaser's "surprisingly light tone" and felt the series would draw elements from the Christmas filmsHome Alone (1990) andDie Hard (1988).[10]NME's Sam Warner described the teaser as a "festive first look" at the series, and noted the use of the song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".[114] Stephen Iervolino ofGood Morning America said the teaser was a blend of "action, humor and downright007-looking spy scenes".[115] Ryan Parker, writing forThe Hollywood Reporter, noted the unique tone of the teaser that presented the series as "more of a comedy, holiday romp, albeit with a ton of action".[116]Entertainment Weekly's Christian Holub felt the Christmas setting added a "Home Alone-like vibe" to the series and noted the teaser's many references to the comics, particularly Fraction's run.[117] The series official poster was released at the end of October, with John Lutz ofCollider noting the further inspiration of Fraction's run in the costumes worn by Barton and Bishop on the poster and the colors used, as well as the series' logo.[118]
An episode of the seriesMarvel Studios: Legends was released on November 12, 2021, for Disney+'s "Disney+ Day" celebration, exploring Barton using footage of his MCU film appearances.[119] Additionally, an extended scene was released on Disney+ Day.[120] In January 2021, Marvel announced their "Marvel Must Haves" program, which reveals new toys, games, books, apparel, home decor, and other merchandise related to each episode ofHawkeye following an episode's release.[121] The first "Must Haves" merchandise for the episodes started on November 26, 2021.[122]
Hawkeye debuted its first two episodes on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.[23] The remaining four episodes were released weekly, concluding on December 22.[54][123] It is part ofPhase Four of the MCU.[124] A premiere screening was held in London on November 11, 2021,[125] as well as on November 17 at theEl Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.[126][52]
Luminate, which measures streaming performance in the U.S. by analyzing viewership data, audience engagement metrics, and content reach across various platforms, reported thatHawkeye accounted for 4.9% of total original series viewership on Disney+ between December 31, 2021, and December 29, 2022.[128] According to the file-sharing news websiteTorrentFreak,Hawkeye was the fifth most-watched pirated television series of 2021.[129][130]
Thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes reports a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 7.55/10, based on 174 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "Hawkeye starts slowly, but the street-level action is a refreshing change of pace for the MCU—and the chemistry between its leads sparkles even when the plot lags."[131]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 66 out of 100 based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[132]
Andrew Webster ofThe Verge felt thatHawkeye was "a few different things", adding: "It's a chance to spend more time with one of the lesser-known Avengers, it's an origin story for an up-and-coming hero, and it's a detective drama set amidst the backdrop of Christmas in New York City as the MCU adds yet another genre to its all-enveloping fold." He considered it alongsideWandaVision andLoki as the best of the MCU on Disney+.[133] Writing forEmpire, Laura Sirikul gave the series four out of five stars and described it as "charming and full of heart".[134] Richard Trenholm ofCNET gave the series a positive review while noting that "Overall,Hawkeye isn't a tortured antihero searching for redemption, he's still just affable Jeremy Renner trundling around looking grumpy. And the show mostly knows this, sticking him into action scenes that are more playful than perilous. Episode 2 in particular has both Clint and Kate engaged in mock combat that's fun to watch rather than hazardous to their health, a jaunty twist on the gritty action-scene-every-episode formula."[135]
Polly Conway ofCommon Sense Media rated the miniseries 4 out of 5 stars and praised the depiction of positive messages and role models, writing, "Hard work, perseverance, and courage are all clear themes. You are not defined solely by your past choices and mistakes. [...] Although they have to make many sacrifices to do so, the heroes are fighting for the greater good. They demonstrate courage, teamwork, and perseverance."[136] Ben Travers ofIndieWire gave the series a "C−", feeling that it was "more concerned with setting up Kate Bishop for future MCU phases than creating a problem worthy of two heroes' time".[137]
The series was given the Seal of Authentic Representation from theRuderman Family Foundation for Cox's role as Maya Lopez. The seal is given to films and series that feature actors with disabilities who have at least five lines of dialogue.[138] The series was also one of 200 television series that receivedthe ReFrame Stamp for the years 2021 to 2022. The stamp is awarded by the gender equity coalitionReFrame and industry databaseIMDbPro for film and television projects that are proven to have gender-balanced hiring, with stamps being awarded to projects that hire female-identifying people, especially women of color, in four out of eight key roles for their production.[139]
By April 2022, Marvel Studios and Disney planned to submitHawkeye in the various limited series categories for thePrimetime Emmy Awards,[147] but ultimately submitted the series forOutstanding Comedy Series and related comedy categories.[148] Commentators felt this change opened up the possibility for the series to be renewed for a second season.[148][58][59]
In February 2021, the documentary seriesMarvel Studios: Assembled was announced. The specials go behind the scenes of the MCU films and television series with cast members and additional creatives.[149] The special on this series, "The Making ofHawkeye", featuring Renner, was released on Disney+ on February 9, 2022.[149][150] It was originally intended to release on January 19, 2022.[151]
^ab"#1261 08/26"(PDF).Production Weekly. No. 1261 (published August 26, 2021). September 6, 2021. p. 18.Archived(PDF) from the original on September 29, 2021. RetrievedOctober 1, 2021.
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Marvel Studios' Hawkeye: End Credits Main on End Title Sequence Without Text presents the series' main title sequence with the text removed,YouTube video fromPerception's channel
