Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Loki episode 1.
In some form or another, a lot of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be making a return appearance in the first season of Loki on Disney+. While Marvel's marketing department is notoriously cagey with casting leaks, it seems a safe bet to expect the return of some characters over others.
With the first two episodes now on Disney+, who can Loki fans expect to see more of? While no secrets or surprises have been revealed, some are far more likely to appear than others given their connection to the God of Mischief. With Loki already receiving stellar reviews, it certainly seems like audiences will have plenty of chances to catch up with their favorite characters.
Frigga
Technically, Frigga has already made her return to the MCU. And, as it turns out, she gets another cameo in Loki. While it is repurposed footage from Thor: The Dark World, her character's demise is used to great effect in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's latest foray into television.
As Mobius M. Mobius (Owen Wilson) shows Loki a slideshow of his life's most impactful moments, the image of Frigga causes an immediate and severe change in the God of Mischief's facial expression. Her image very well may have been the only one to elicit such a reaction, and it was a key moment in the series premiere. Hopefully, Loki will get to interact with her one more time.
Heimdall
Idris Elba has been pretty clear about his lack of reverence for the MCU and his time in it. Still, he played Asgard's gatekeeper, Heimdall, in five installments: Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, and Avengers: Infinity War.
While he met his demise in that latter film, Loki could be a comparatively lowkey project perfect for strengthening the writing of his character. Elba never had much to work with, and Loki could give the actor's many fans some well-deserved time in the MCU spotlight with the character.
Odin
Just as with Rene Russo's Frigga, Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins' Odin made a return in Loki's first episode, "Glorious Purpose." Mixed amongst other recreated images from Loki's life, the God of Mischief sees what would become of himself and his relationship with his father. Namely, Odin's final scene in Thor: Ragnarok, where he, Thor, and Loki all sit by the sea in peace before they are interrupted by Hela. Fans would love it if they could also get one more chance to see each other again.
Hela
Before Cate Blanchett heads to the Borderlands, she could easily reappear in this partial follow-up to her MCU debut. Unless the series goes down the Lady Loki route (which seems likely), Hela could serve as a nice foil to his overflowing ego. While Marvel has a tendency (for better or worse) to make their villains one-offs, Hela is a one-of-a-kind villain. With a better backstory than most, Blanchett's villain is absolutely one who could return in some clever rendition.
Lady Sif
Lady Sif is one of two characters who fans really, really want to make a return in Loki. As a trilogy, Thor has a tendency to just outright drop a character, including Lady Sif. However, with some characters re-emerging from even 2008's The Incredible Hulk, it seems that Marvel is on the warpath to give every character their due.
With Natalie Portman's return in the next installment, Lady Sif could pop up there to continue the love triangle subplot established in Thor: The Dark World. However, considering that subplot didn't quite gel with most audiences, a Loki return seems like Sif's best bet.
Agatha Harkness
Agatha Harkness, with her instantly iconic eponymous jingle, is going to return to the MCU at some point. Kathryn Hahn's performance was too well-received for the character to be a one-off. A brief appearance in Loki could make perfectly fine sense.
With both characters considering themselves the true master of magic, their egos bounding off one another would be a source of fan fervor. Even if it isn't Loki where Hahn makes her return appearance, it feels very much inevitable.
Dr. Erik Selvig
Just as Kat Dennings' Darcy was brought back for WandaVision, the perpetually underutilized Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) seems like a lock to make at least a cameo at some point during Loki's initial six episodes.
As a part of the Thor franchise, (even going so far as to be the MCU's multiverse expert), fans would love it if Selvig made a return. Considering his last appearance was brief in 2015's poorly received yet underrated Avengers: Age of Ultron, Selvig's time is beyond due.
Valkyrie
With Loki's elevated view of himself and what he feels he's owed, meeting the leader of New Asgard would be fun. Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie could help inform Loki of a true leader's qualifications. With the series heading in a direction that includes the title character's acceptance and reconciliation with his misdeeds, this seems quite possible.
Doctor Strange
In a TikTok interview, Hiddleston enticed fans with a promise of some great returns in store, particularly in "episodes four and five." The MCU is always one to pepper in cameos for upcoming features, so why not go full circle with another Doctor Strange cameo.
Like his superfluous but fun cameo in Thor: Ragnarok, a Benedict Cumberbatch appearance here could help keep Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in the viewer's mind. Plus, he's already had the chance to establish a justifiably cantankerous relation with the title character, so that could be fuel on a fire.
Hulk
If ever there were an MCU project to give audiences more of The Incredible Hulk tossing Loki around like a weightless ragdoll, it would be this. While audiences got more of this particular dynamic in Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok, there are some things that bring a smile to audiences' faces no matter how many times they see it. Though, Loki interacting with the divisive Professor Hulk could prove interesting as well.