Netflix ‘Luke Cage’ Adds Alfre Woodard, Possibly as Marvel’s Black Mariah

Marvel’s Jessica Jones doesn’t yet have an official photo to its name, but already Netflix successor Luke Cage may have his big bad. Alfred Woodard has reportedly joined the series in a majorly antagonistic role, one adapted from classic Luke Cage villain “Black Mariah.”

According to Deadline, State of Affairs and onetime Star Trek: First Contact star Woodard is finalizing a deal to star as “Minetta, a powerful woman in local politics who will have an impact on Luke Cage’s life.” Purportedly, Minetta may be a version or adaptation of Luke Cage and Iron Fist villain Black Mariah, a major criminal and drug dealer from the books.

The idea of Minetta (or Mariah) would also fit with an earlier revelation that the pilot outing of Luke Cage would see the Marvel strongman going up against “Cottonmouth,” another notable drug dealer from from the comics. Stretching that speculation even further, Daredevil never quite resolved its mysterious “Steel Serpent” heroin thread, itself envisioned as an early setup for Iron Fist.

Thus far of Netflix’s Luke Cage, we know that Colter will first debut the character in an unspecified number of Jessica Jones episodes (seen to be super-durable as well), before headlining his own series. Cheo Hodari Coker will showrun the third Marvel Netflix drama, believed to be beginning production in the near future.

Woodard would also fit the Netflix Defenders model of attracting a strong thespian for the villain, following Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin and David Tennant’s Purple Man, but what make we of Alfre Woodard for Luke Cage?