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Black Lightning season 3

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Black Lightning
Season 3
Promotional poster
Starring
No. of episodes2
Release
Original networkThe CW
Original releaseOctober 7, 2019 (2019-10-07) –
present (present)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of the American television series Black Lightning, which is based on the DC Comics character Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning, premiered on The CW on October 7, 2019. The season is produced by Berlanti Productions, Akil Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and DC Entertainment. It was ordered in January 2019 and production began that July, with Salim Akil once again serving as showrunner.

The season continues to follow Jefferson, a high school principal-turned-teacher and recently re-emerged superhero Black Lightning, in his fight against the local gang called The 100 in his community of Freeland, as well as new threats from the country of Markovia. Cress Williams stars as Jefferson, along with principal cast members China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Christine Adams, Damon Gupton, Jordan Calloway, and James Remar also returning from previous seasons.

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
301"The Book of Occupation: Chapter One: Birth of the Blackbird"Salim AkilSalim AkilOctober 7, 2019 (2019-10-07)T43.101010.89[1]
312"The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two: Maryam's Tasbih"Oz ScottCharles HollandOctober 14, 2019 (2019-10-14)TBAN/A
323"The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three"[2]Benny BoomPat CharlesOctober 21, 2019 (2019-10-21)TBAN/A
334"The Book of Occupation: Chapter Four"[3]Mary Lou BelliAdam GiaudroneOctober 28, 2019 (2019-10-28)TBAN/A

Robert Townsend will direct an episode this season.[4]

Cast and characters

Main article: List of Black Lightning characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

Development

On January 31, 2019, The CW renewed the series for its third season.[9] Executive producer and series developer Salim Akil returned to serve as the season's showrunner.[10]

Writing

Lead actor Cress Williams revealed that the third season's narrative would begin approximately a month and a half after the season two finale. He also observed that the season picks up with the Pierce family "a little disjointed" and that Jefferson's immediate focus, shared with his ex-wife Lynn, would be to "keep both of [their] daughters out of the war that's coming."[11] After the fictional Eastern European country of Markovia was revealed as the entity responsible for the season two villains known as the Masters of Disaster and that the nation had been building up its own metahuman army, Williams teased that the third season would see the world of the series "getting bigger" with Markovia becoming the source of a number of new metahumans, both heroes and villains.[12][13] Showrunner Salim Akil described Markovia as "a small, power-hungry regime" and explained that their reasoning for hunting down Freeland's metahumans would be that, "If you have all of the metas, it's almost like you have all of the nukes, and [you] can weaponize them." He also stated that, while everyday life in Freeland would still be a focus of the season, "we want our stories to talk about concerns not just for black folk but for people in general. We'll cover mental health and addiction issues that affect the whole country."[14]

Discussing Jennifer's ongoing struggle to control her powers due to the emotional discovery of her abilities, actress China Anne McClain noted that, "When the season starts, we see that Jennifer is getting more powerful, stronger, and she's also getting more emotional. We can expect a combination of all three of those this season."[11] Akil additionally disclosed that Jennifer being stronger than both her father and her sister on account of her unique ability to generate her own electricity would also raise the issue of who is ultimately in control amongst the three.[14] Meanwhile, Nafessa Williams said of her character Anissa's journey, "Season one was about her understanding and discovering her powers, in season two she is kind of starting to perfect them and trust herself. Season three, she is a woman. She trusts that and she is from under the leadership of her father and she is always willing to take advice but sometimes her ideas and her ways of doing things and her mindset is different from her father's."[15] As for Tobias, the main villain of the series' first two seasons who was last seen incarcerated, Akil stated that since "his powers are taken [off the table...] he's going to have to use his superior intelligence to work his way out — and not his brawn."[14]

Jordan Calloway revealed that his character Khalil, who was thought to have perished during the previous season until re-emerging in the season finale, would "come back a little different" in season three. The sentiment was echoed by McClain, who additionally cast doubt on the future of their characters' romantic relationship. Calloway explained, "[Khalil] might go both sides, good or bad. We saw what he was doing under the control of Tobias, and now you add another huge big bad, Agent Odell, the stakes are much higher for him. [...] What happens when you cross an individual like that?"[16] Speaking on the circumstances surrounding Khalil's return, Akil hinted that, "The A.S.A.'s Agent Odell thought it best to keep him in a pod until they [could] figure out what to do with him." Akil characterized Agent Odell as "a true American patriot, [which] makes him a deadly soldier" and shared that the Pierces would be reluctantly working alongside him in order to protect their community, as it was revealed in the second season finale that Agent Odell knows of the Pierces' secret identities and abilities.[12][14] Furthermore, Williams teased that Jefferson would be making "a really big sacrifice" this season that would reveal "a little bit more of his angrier side" and "[propel] him at the beginning of the season."[17]

Casting

Main cast members Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Damon Gupton, Jordan Calloway, and James Remar return from previous seasons as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning, Jennifer Pierce / Lightning, Anissa Pierce / Thunder, Lynn Stewart, Tobias Whale, Bill Henderson, Khalil Payne / Painkiller, and Peter Gambi, respectively.[18]

In October 2019, it was announced that Wayne Brady would play a major recurring role this season as Tyson Sykes / Gravedigger, a World War II-era "super soldier" and American-turned-Markovian asset.[5]

Design

This season features a new suit design for Jefferson Pierce as Black Lightning. In place of the previous suit's glowing blue and gold bolts across the chest, a textured gold design with blue and black weaving is featured throughout the torso, arms, and gloves. The mask is also slightly redesigned with dark red-tinted lenses.[19] As Anissa Pierce officially takes on the name "Blackbird" this season as a second secret identity, she also receives a new costume for the alter-ego that consists of a black hood and a mask that covers the lower half of her face.[20]

Filming

Production for the season began on July 9, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.[21][22]

Release

Broadcast

The third season premiered on The CW in the United States on October 7, 2019. The season was originally scheduled to debut two weeks later on October 21 prior to the reveal that characters from Black Lightning would appear in the Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths" on The CW.[23][10] The series continues to air on Mondays at 9:00pm during the 2019–20 television season, but now airs following All American.[24]

Marketing

Several of the season's main cast members attended San Diego Comic-Con on July 20, 2019 to promote the season.[18] The first trailer of the season was released on September 24.[25]

Reception

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Black Lightning season 3
No. Title Air date Rating/share
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "The Book of Occupation: Chapter One: Birth of Blackbird" October 7, 2019 0.3/1 0.89[1] TBD TBD TBD TBD

References

  1. ^ a b Rejent, Joseph (October 8, 2019). "'9-1-1' adjusts up, 'Bluff City Law' adjusts down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  2. ^ "(#303) "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  3. ^ "(#303) "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Four"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  4. ^ Townsend, Robert [@Robert_Townsend] (August 16, 2019). "I'm in Atlanta, directing another episode of #BLACKLIGHTNING Saturday I'm having a screening of my documentary MAKING THE 5 HEARTBEATS.It's free,if you can't make it you can buy the DVD or blu-ray at RobertTownsend.com or watch it now on Vimeo on demand. Thanks" (Tweet). Retrieved August 17, 2019 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ a b Ng, Philiana; Seemayer, Zach (October 10, 2019). "Wayne Brady Joins 'Black Lightning' as Gravedigger (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Black Lightning Episode Guide" (PDF). IASFBO. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  7. ^ Noronha, Remus (October 2, 2019). "'Black Lightning' Season 3 could see Lala the Tattooed Man stage a comeback as the show's biggest wild card". MEAWW. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  8. ^ Thuy, Chantal [@Chantal_Thuy] (August 1, 2019). "Hi fam! 🖤😜 #backtoblack #BlackLightning #gracechoi" (Tweet). Retrieved August 1, 2019 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 31, 2019). "CW Renews 'The Flash,' 'Charmed,' 'Riverdale,' 'Supernatural,' 6 More". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Drum, Nicole (August 4, 2019). "Black Lightning Season 3 Release Date Moved Up". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  11. ^ a b B, Kay (August 1, 2019). "How 'Black Lightning' Season 3 Will Be More Apocalyptic Than Ever Before". Shadow and Act. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Burlingame, Russ (July 20, 2019). "Black Lightning: More Superheroes, Supervillains Coming in Season Three". ComicBook.com. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Sandwell, Ian (July 22, 2019). "Black Lightning star hints major DC superhero team could join show". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c d Rudolph, Ileane (September 1, 2019). "'Black Lightning' Season 3: All Your Burning Questions Answered". TV Insider. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  15. ^ Sundar, Priyanka (July 20, 2019). "SDCC 2019: Black Lightning's Cress Williams says family disjointed when s3 begins, actors explain their upcoming arcs [EXCLUSIVE]". MEAWW. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  16. ^ Sandwell, Ian (July 23, 2019). "Black Lightning stars tease "different" Khalil and season 3's "big bad"". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  17. ^ Agard, Chancellor (September 13, 2019). "Black Lightning star teases Jefferson's 'big sacrifice' in the Markovian conflict". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  18. ^ a b Damore, Meagan (July 20, 2019). "Black Lightning Strikes At SDCC With Season 3 Details". CBR. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  19. ^ Aguilar, Matthew (September 20, 2019). "Black Lightning Gets New Costume in Leaked Photo From Season 3". ComicBook.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  20. ^ Noronha, Remus (September 25, 2019). "Anissa's new Blackbird identity in 'Black Lightning' Season 3 is a sign that she's ready to step out of her father's shadow". MEAWW. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  21. ^ William, Nafessa (July 9, 2019). "First day Mood #BlackLightning #Season3 😛⚡️💃🏻". Retrieved July 12, 2019 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ Drum, Nicole (June 23, 2019). "Black Lightning Steps up as a Real-Life Hero in New Boys and Girls Clubs of America PSA". ComicBook.com. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  23. ^ Hipes, Patrick (August 4, 2019). "'Black Lightning' Season 3 Premiere Bolts Two Weeks Earlier – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  24. ^ Petski, Denise (June 17, 2019). "The CW Sets Fall Premiere Dates: 'Batwoman', 'Supergirl', 'The Flash', 'Nancy Drew', More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  25. ^ Lovett, Jamie (September 24, 2019). "Black Lightning Season 3 Extended Trailer Teases New Suit". ComicBook.com. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
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