Okoye was a member of the Dora Milaje, part of an order of wives-in-training for the King of Wakanda, and served as Tchalla’s bodyguard and chauffeur. Each member of the Dora Milaje were chose from a different tribe of Wakandans , a political tradition to ensure peace among the tribes as each held a role in the palace and a chance to become the next queen.
Rather than seeing Okoye and Nakia as “wives in-training”, T’challa seen them as daughters, and treated them as such. Unlike Nakia, Okoye understood that Tchalla loved Nakia and her as daughters and nothing more. Okoye remained loyal to T’challa and continued to serve as his chauffeur and bodyguard.
Other Media
Films
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Danai Gurira as Okoye Okoye appears as a major character in the 2018 Black Panther film, portrayed by The Walking Dead star Danai Gurira. Unlike in the comics, this version of Okoye is an adult woman and married to W’Kabi, as well as the late King T’Chaka‘s former bodyguard. As the leader of the Dora Milaje, she is a fierce supporter of T’Challa, and ends up at odds with her husband after he supports Erik Killmonger. After Killmonger defeats T’Challa in a ritual duel and becomes the new ruler of Wakanda, Okoye reluctantly follows him. When T’Challa returns to overthrow his usurper, Okoye leads the other Dora Milaje in a rebellion against Killmonger, which eventually leads to her facing off against W’Kabi.
- Danai Gurira reprises her role in Avengers: Infinity War. She appears when the forces of Thanos invade Wakanda seeking the Vision, who has the Mind Stone, the last remaining Infinity Stones. During the final battle, she teams up with Black Widow and Scarlet Witch to kill Proxima Midnight, the leader of the Outrider army.
- Okoye appears in Lego Black Panther: Trouble in Wakanda, voiced by Community star Yvette Nicole Brown.
Games
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War for Wakanda Okoye appears in the Marvel Avengers Academy game, and is introduced as part of the Black Panther event.
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Okoye is a playable character in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 as part of the Black Panther DLC pack.
- Okoye appears in Square Enix’s Avengers game as a supporting character in the War for Wakanda DLC expansion pack. She was voiced by Debra Wilson.
Merchandise
- Okoye was the subject of a Marvel Legends Build-a-Figure wave, which could be completed after purchasing each of the corresponding figures in the series (Black Panther, Erik Killmonger, Nakia, Iron Man, Black Bolt and Namor).
- Okoye appears in Funko’s Pop! line of bobbleheads.
- Iron Studios produced an Okoye statue as part of a diorama series that also included Black Panther, Erik Killmonger and Nakia.
- Okoye appears in Diamond Select’s Minimates line.
- Okoye was featured in the “Rhino Face-Off by the Mine” Lego kit.