What If...? (season 1)
The first season of the American animated anthology series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) occurred differently. The season was produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with A. C. Bradley serving as head writer and Bryan Andrews directing. Animation for the season is provided by Blue Spirit, Squeeze, Flying Bark Productions, and Stellar Creative Lab, with Stephan Franck as head of animation.
| What If...? | |
|---|---|
| Season 1 | |
Promotional poster | |
| Starring | Jeffrey Wright |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Disney+ |
| Original release | August 11 – October 6, 2021 |
| Season chronology | |
Jeffrey Wright stars as the Watcher, who narrates the series, alongside many MCU film actors reprising their roles. The series was officially announced in April 2019, with many of the cast announced that July. Bradley and Andrews were confirmed in August 2019.
The first season premiered on Disney+ on August 11, 2021, and ran for nine episodes until October 6, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. The season received generally positive reviews, with praise for the voice acting and creative storylines and scenarios but some criticism for its animation, episode length, and writing. A second season was confirmed in December 2019.