Black Lightning

Far be it for The CW to pass on a fifth DC superhero drama. Having failed to strike at FOX, Black Lightning is officially joining its costumed compatriots at The CW with a series order.

The CW’s FOX-rescued Black Lightning didn’t actually film an entire pilot in time for May’s Upfronts, and may not join the other four DC dramas on the network this fall. Instead, reports indicate that a potential Black Lightning pickup could see the new CW series held for 2018 at the earliest.

No one was exactly surprised when FOX’s Black Lightning pilot moved to join its fellow DC heroes on The CW, but there may be more changes in store than a network. A new pilot report suggests that The CW Black Lightning didn’t end up using FOX’s treatment of the character, and won’t actually film a formal pilot before pickup.

We’re hard-pressed to imagine The CW adding yet a fifth DC superhero to its airwaves, but the FOX-transplanted Black Lightning is nonetheless ready to strike. See for yourself in the first official production photo, as Hart of Dixie alum Cress Wiliams suits up in an electrifying costume.

Hard as it is to imagine yet a fifth DC drama joining the CW ranks, Black Lightning continues to strike. Following the addition of Cress Williams as title hero Jefferson Pierce, the new super-pilot has cast the character’s comic daughters as well, adding Nafessa Williams and China Anne McClain as Anissa and Jennifer.

It’s official: The CW has been struck by lightning. After absorbing FOX’s Black Lightning pilot, the new DC drama from Arrow-verse architect Greg Berlanti will return Hart of Dixie alum Cress Williams to The CW as its superhero series’ title character.

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.

Regardless of network, any DC drama populating the airwaves will inevitably draw questions of a move or crossover with The CW multiverse. Case in point, FOX’s Black Lightning previously sought to keep separate from the other series, but now may end up on The CW regardless, and with a pilot order at that.

DC fans knew that FOX’s Gotham was unlikely to meet up with the CW heroes of Arrow or The Flash, though the latter’s visit to CBS’ Supergirl at least raised hope that FOX’s upcoming Black Lightning could join the next big crossover. Not so, it seems as DC TV boss Greg Berlanti seems to think FOX’s newest superhero will stand on his own for now.

The CW has enough superheroes for one lifetime, between Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, to say nothing of DC outliers like FOX’s Gotham. Well, get ready for another superhero (or villain?) to join the ranks in 2017, as those in the know say there’s another DC TV series on the way