The upcoming Black Lightning TV series on the CW continues to round out its cast.
The CW’s DC Comics small screen maestro Greg Berlanti will team up with the husband-wife creative duo of Mara Brock Akil and husband Salim Akil to develop a Black Lightning TV show. The Akils come to the table with valuable dramatic experience writing and producing African-American-centric shows such as Being Mary Jane, The Game, Girlfriends, and Soul Food. The collaboration – which sees the Akils as executive producers alongside Berlanti and Sarah Schechter – will finally have DC Comics’ very first black superhero Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning make his way to live action.
The show was originally in development at Fox, but now the pilot is heading to the CW's already crowded superhero schedule.
Here's everything else you need to know about the new series:
Black Lightning Cast
THRbroke the news that Cress Williams has been cast as Jefferson Pierce aka Black Lightning. The actor will return to the network two years after Hart of Dixie wrapped its four-season run.
Christine Adams will play opposite Mr. Williams as Lynn Pierce, Jefferson's "Jefferson’s ex-wife who exudes confidence and intelligence. Although she’s got a mischievous side, she’s not one to be trifled with when it comes to family." (info via Deadline).
Deadline reports that Nafessa Williams (Code Black) and China Anne McClain (House of Payne) will play his daughters. Ms. McClain is Jennifer Pierce, "an independent, outspoken scholar-athlete with a wild streak of her own." Ms. Williams is Anissa Pierce, "passionate and quick-witted, Jefferson’s twenty-something daughter balances the demands of medical school with her job teaching part-time at her father’s school."
No word yet on whether this will eventually lead to them becoming superheroes themselves as they do in the comics, but it's good to see the central cast is taking shape. Expect more news on this shortly.
More news on Black Lightning as we learn it!
Black Lightning Release Date
If Black Lightning gets a season order from The CW, it'll arrive in Fall 2017.
Black Lightning Story
Black Lightning will launch with a script written by the Akils. The official synopsis details how Jefferson Pierce, “who hung up his suit and his secret identity years ago. However, with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend Black Lightning.” So we'll be spared an origin story on a superhero TV series. Wonderful news!
Black Lightning was initially created by Tony Isabella and Trevor von Eeden, with Isabella brought in to DC fresh from his Marvel run, after having a hand in the character conception of Luke Cage (or Power Man). So with Luke Cage's recent success on Netflix, it seems that Black Lightning's time has come.
Black Lightning Characters
So what do we know about the pilot? Well, The Hashtag Show, who continue to just score casting info scoop after casting info scoop have breakdowns for the main characters, and it's pretty revealing:
JEFFERSON PIERCE: Male, African-American, late 30s to 50. Handsome, fit, with an athletic build. Former 3-time gold medal decathlon winner who is now principal of a high school in South Central Los Angeles. A father figure to his student and hero to the local community. JEFFERSON is charming, charismatic, smart, and has both warmth and humor. He is devoted to his two daughters and remains deeply in love with his ex-wife LYNN. He also has a great passion for justice and a quick temper that he has spent years learning how to control. Think Idris Elba. LEAD
JENNIFER: Female. African-American, LEGAL 18 to play 16. JEFFERSON’s younger daughter. JENNIFER is a scholar athlete; beautiful with a lean, athletic runner’s build. She is the entitled feminist of the Pierce family. Independent and outspoken with a wild streak. SERIES REGUALR, ASP
ANISSA: Female. African-American, to play 22. JEFFERSON’s elder daughter. Beautiful, quick-witted and intelligent; intense and passionate. ANISSA has a great respect for her father. ANISA balances the demands of medical school with her duties as a part time teacher at JEFFERSON’s school. SERIES REGULAR, ASP
LYNN: Female, African-American, mid 30s to 50. Exudes confidence and intelligence. Beautiful, but not to be trifled with. Can exhibit both great emotional depth as well as a flirtatious, mischievous side. SERIES REGULAR, ASP.