Spider-Noir: plot and setting in 1930s New York

“Spider-Noir” is a live-action television series developed by Oren Uziel for MGM+ and Prime Video, inspired by the Spider-Man Noir character from Marvel comics. The story follows Ben Reilly, played by Nicolas Cage, an aging and disillusioned private investigator living in 1930s New York, a time marked by the Great Depression and noir atmospheres. Reilly, once the city’s only superhero known as The Spider, is forced to face his past after a personal tragedy that distanced him from the role of vigilante.

Main cast of Spider-Noir

Nicolas Cage plays Ben Reilly / The Spider, a mature and dark character inspired by detectives from classic noir movies. Alongside him, Lamorne Morris plays Robbie Robertson, an optimistic journalist and friend of Reilly, while Li Jun Li plays Cat Hardy, a nightclub singer with dark ties. The cast is completed by Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson, the latter as Silvermane, a crime boss with a past intertwined with the protagonist’s.

Production and visual style: a tribute to noir cinema in black and white and color

The series was filmed in Los Angeles between August 2024 and March 2025, using black-and-white filming techniques to recreate the authentic atmosphere of 1930s noir movies, with long shadows and strong contrasts. At the same time, a color version called “True-Hue Full Color” was created, recalling the painterly style of Edward Hopper, offering an alternative visual experience. This double version will be available at launch, scheduled for May 25, 2026 on MGM+ in the United States and from May 27 on Prime Video globally.

Writing and narrative development: a noir approach with complex characters

The screenplay was curated by a team led by Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot, with contributions from several writers. The choice to shift the protagonist from Peter Parker to Ben Reilly allows exploration of more adult themes and a darker atmosphere, far from the typical youthful Spider-Man imagery. The narrative focuses on a detective who, despite cynicism and difficulties, is forced to return to action to solve an exceptional case that brings him to confront his past.

Release date and global distribution on MGM+ and Prime Video

“Spider-Noir” will be available for streaming worldwide simultaneously at the end of May 2026, with all eight episodes released together. MGM+ will broadcast the series in the United States starting May 25, while Prime Video will handle international distribution from May 27. The dual black-and-white and color version represents a distinctive element, designed to attract both classic movie enthusiasts and a broader audience.

Recent productions of the Spider-Noir cast

Nicolas Cage, in his first lead role in a TV series, has recently appeared in movies such as The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and Pig. Lamorne Morris is known for his role in Woke and has had roles in series like New Girl. Brendan Gleeson, a cinema veteran, has acted in productions such as The Banshees of Inisherin and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Jack Huston has taken part in series like Boardwalk Empire and movies like American Hustle. These performers bring with them a wealth of experience that will enrich the new Marvel series.