SPOILER ALERT: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR “IRONHEART”

The episode has generated considerable discussion, primarily due to Sasha Barron Cohen‘s portrayal of Mephisto, a devil-like marvel character whose MCU debut has been long anticipated. While Cohen’s casting was known, his specific role remained a mystery until the episode aired, making it one of the worst-kept secrets within the MCU.

Dominique Thorne,who plays the lead role,revealed that she only discovered Mephisto’s identity late in the production.She told Variety:

“I learned in the midst of our shooting. so, by the time they gave me the correct name in the script, it was like ‘Whoa, the Reddit guy! The guy from all the rumors. he’s in this show? OK, y’all are serious!’

The true Marvel fans know that Marvel always has a plan. So, to know that they’ve chosen to introduce him here with Riri Williams, with Parker Robbins, it’s strategic and it has a place in the larger storytelling and in the larger twists and turns that this phase will continue to unveil. And it is just a joy to get a seat on that ride.”

mephisto appears primarily as Cohen in a flamboyant floral suit, but his true form is briefly glimpsed in a spoon’s reflection, closely resembling his comic book appearance.

Fan reactions to the reveal have been largely positive,with some comparing it to Jonathan Majors’ introduction as He Who Remains in “Loki”.

Riri’s Deal with the Devil

The series concludes with Riri striking a deal with Mephisto, suggesting their eventual return. Deadline reports that Thorne believes Mephisto may have underestimated Riri:

“I think Mephisto is probably in for a bit more of a headache than he bargained for with Miss Riri williams.”

“My gut is telling me that that is not the last we have seen of him,and I don’t think that is the last that we’ve seen of him in connection with Parker,and obviously,clearly not with Riri.I think Mephisto is probably in for a bit more of a headache than he bargained for with Miss Riri Williams. I think regardless of what Mephisto thinks is going to happen, Riri most certainly has other plans in mind.”

All six episodes of “Ironheart” are available for streaming on Disney+.