Jump to content

Black Lightning (TV series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 174.89.61.21 (talk) at 18:24, 10 August 2017 (→‎Cast and characters). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Black Lightning
Genre
Based onCharacters from DC Comics
Developed by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locationAtlanta, Georgia
Camera setupSingle-camera
Production companies
Original release
NetworkThe CW

Black Lightning is an upcoming American television series that will air on The CW, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil created the series, which stars Cress Williams as the titular character alongside China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, James Remar, Damon Gupton, and Marvin "Krondon" Jones III. The series sees the retired Black Lightning return to the hero life and its effects on his family life.

Development on the series began in September 2016 when Fox ordered a pilot production commitment for Black Lightning. In February 2017, Fox passed on the series, with it being picked up by The CW with a new script for the pilot. The CW officially ordered the series in May 2017. Black Lightning is scheduled to premiere in 2018 of the 2017–18 season, for a 13 episode run.[1]

Premise

Jefferson Pierce, who retired from his superhero persona Black Lightning nine years ago after seeing the effects it had on his family, is forced to become a hero again when the rise of the local gang The One Hundred leads to increased crime and corruption in his community.[2]

Cast and characters

  • Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning: A retired superhero with the ability to harness and control electricity who becomes a principal at a charter high school. He returns to fighting crime thanks to his daughter and the threat of a star student being recruited by a local gang.[3][2]
  • China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce: Jefferson's younger daughter who is "an independent, outspoken scholar-athlete with a wild streak of her own."[4]
  • Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce: Jefferson's older daughter who is in medical school and teaches part-time at Jefferson's school.[4]
  • Christine Adams as Lynn Pierce: Jefferson's ex-wife.[5]
  • James Remar as Peter Gambi: Jefferson's oldest friend, who became a father figure and mentor to him, and works as his "tailor".[6]
  • Damon Gupton as Henderson: A veteran detective inspector with the police, who becomes an unlikely ally to Jefferson, despite his role in the community.[6]
  • Marvin "Krondon" Jones III as Tobias Whale: A former politician who rose through the ranks of local government through corruption who was brought down by Alvin Pierce, Jefferson's father. After killing Alvin, Tobias was exiled where he becomes the leader of The 100 gang.[7]

Production

Development

In September 2016, after being in various stages of development, Warner Bros. Television began pitching Black Lightning to networks.[8] The project was being developed by Mara Brock Akil and her husband, Salim Akil. They were partnered with Greg Berlanti, who was behind several DC Comics properties for the studio, eventually landing at Fox with a pilot production commitment.[9] In February 2017, Fox opted not to go forward with the project, deciding that it was "not a good fit into its already crowded genre drama space".[10] Warner Bros. Television presented the project to other networks, with The CW officially ordering a pilot for Black Lightning.[11] The CW also opted to discard the original pilot script, as it had been written for Fox, and shoot a short presentation instead.[12] The CW officially ordered Black Lightning to series on May 10, 2017.[13] It will premiere in 2018 of the 2017–18 season.[2]

Writing

Salim Akil stated that Black Lightning would not follow the villain of the week format or be a procedural, because he wanted to "explore the characters, even the villains".[14]

Casting

In late February 2017, Cress Williams was cast as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning,[3] followed a month later by the casting of China Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams as his daughters, Jennifer Pierce and Anissa Pierce, respectively,[4] and Christine Adams was cast as Lynn Pierce, Jefferson's ex-wife.[5] At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International, it was announced that James Remar and Damon Gupton had joined the cast as Pierce's friend Peter Gambi and and detective inspector Henderson, respectively.[6] The following month, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III was cast as Tobias Whale.[7]

Design

Black Lightning's costume was designed by Laura Jean Shannon.[15]

Filming

Filming for the series takes place in Atlanta.[16][2]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"[3]Salim AkilMara Brock Akil and Salim AkilTBATBATBD

Connection to the Arrowverse

Further information: Arrowverse

Despite airing on The CW and being created by Berlanti, Mark Pedowitz, president of The CW said in May 2017 that the series "at this time, is not part of the Arrowverse. It is a separate situation."[2] Berlanti had previously stated when the series was in development at Fox that it would not crossover with his other DC Comics television properties on The CW nor would it exist in the Arrowverse.[17] However, Akil later stated that they were not ruling out eventual crossovers.[14] In August 2017, Pedowitz added, "If [the showrunners] wish to bring it in, that is their call. We had a long discussion with the studio, Mara, Salim and myself. We were fine with them making it separate from the Arrowverse, they have a different point a view. If they end up wanting to go that way, that will be their decision."[18]

References

  1. ^ Sydney Bucksbaum [@SydneyBucksbaum] (August 2, 2017). "#TheOriginals final season and #BlackLightning will also be 13 episodes each this year. #TCA17" (Tweet). Retrieved August 2, 2017 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d e Abrams, Natalie (May 18, 2017). "The CW's Black Lightning not part of Arrowverse, crossover unlikely". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Swift, Andy (February 24, 2017). "Black Lightning: Cress Williams to Star in The CW's Latest DC Comics Pilot". TVLine. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2017). "'Black Lightning' CW Pilot: Nafessa Williams, China Anne McClain Cast". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (March 10, 2017). "'Black Lightning': Christine Adams Cast As Jefferson's Ex-Wife". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Petski, Denise (July 22, 2017). "'Black Lightning' Casts James Remar & Damon Gupton As Series Regulars, Watch Trailer – Comic-Con". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 10, 2017). "'Black Lightning' Adds Marvin "Krondon" Jones III As Villain Tobias Whale". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 1, 2016). "'Black Lightning' DC Superhero Series In Works From Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 8, 2016). "Fox Nabs 'Black Lightning' DC Superhero Drama With Pilot Production Commitment". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  10. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 2, 2017). "'Black Lightning' Drama Eyes Move To the CW To Join Greg Berlanti Comic Lineup". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  11. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 3, 2017). "'Black Lightning' DC Drama From Greg Berlanti & 'The Game' Duo Gets The CW Pilot Order". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 12, 2017). "PILOTS 2017: Very, Very Early Buzz Edition". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 10, 2017). "'Black Lightning' & Lucy Hale's 'Life Sentence' Picked Up To Series By The CW". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  14. ^ a b Massabrook, Nicole (June 11, 2017). "'Black Lightning' TV Show Spoilers: What The EPs Revealed At ATX". International Business Times. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  15. ^ Goldman, Eric (March 29, 2017). "First Look At Black Lightning From The CW's New DC Comics Pilot". IGN. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2017). "Pilot Locations 2017: NY, Vancouver & Atlanta Tick Up; LA, Toronto, Chicago Slip". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  17. ^ Gerding, Stephen (January 9, 2017). "FOX'S BLACK LIGHTNING SHOW WON'T CROSS OVER WITH THE ARROWVERSE". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  18. ^ Schwartz, Terri (August 2, 2017). "This Arrowverse Crossover Will Fully Take Place Across Every Show From Supergirl To Legends of Tomorrow". IGN. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Lightning_(TV_series)&oldid=794898717"