The CW is about to get more braver and bolder in jolting down another DC Comics superhero bolt, as the network picks up “Black Lightning” for the 2017-18 season. The first African-American superhero of DC Comics, the series will be the latest from Greg Berlanti, who’s also the executive producer of the four-night “Supergirl”–“Flash”–“Arrow”–“Legends of Tomorrow” superhero ‘Invasion’.
“Hart of Dixie” alumni Cress Williams will suit up in the role of Jefferson Pierce, a man who comes out of superhero retirement to become the Black Lightning once again when he discovers his daughter (Nafessa Williams) wants to be in the business of fighting crime, corruption, and injustice.
Though the CW have suited up “Arrow’s” John Diggle/Spartan (David Ramsey) and Curtis/Mr. Terrific (Echo Kellum), “Supergirl”‘s James Olsen/Guardian (Mehcad Brooks) and Hank Henshaw/J’onn J’onzz/Martian Manhunter (David Harewood), and “Legends”‘ Jefferson ‘Jax’ Jackson (Franz Drameh) as one-half of Firestorm, this will make “Black Lightning” the first headlined black superhero series for the CW: proving once more that black superheroes matter.