CW’s ‘Black Lightning’ Reportedly Casting Its Four Comic Leads
There’s no guarantee DC’s Black Lightning will move forward as a series, even after The CW rescued it from FOX, but it looks like a pilot is nonetheless gearing up. New reports suggest the Greg Berlanti drama is preparing to cast its core players, offering descriptions of the Idris Elba-type to fill the title role, and more.
The series is produced by Berlanti with The Game and Being Mary Jane creator Mara Brock Akil and her husband Salim Akil. Prior reports suggested a move to The CW could put more emphasis on the character’s daughters, while That Hashtag Show purports to have obtained breakdowns for Jefferson Pierce, his daughters and ex-wife
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 students 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.
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. ANISSA balances the demands of medical school with her duties as a part time teacher at JEFFERSON’s school. SERIES REGULAR.
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 REGULAR.
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,.
So reads the initial synopsis:
Jefferson Pierce made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but 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.
Black Lightning is notable as one of DC Comics’ first major African-American superheroes, and would follow as one of the first to headline a live-action series. The comic character’s two daughters have also belonged to different superhero groups as Anissa Pierce/Thunder and Jennifer Pierce/Lightning.
It remains unclear if the series would fall into the same multi-verse as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl or Legends of Tomorrow, but what do we make of Black Lightning thus far?
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