Cress Williams is set to join Black Lightning as the television series’ lead. The series was originally ordered to pilot by Fox (who passed on it before it was even produced) but was eventually picked up by The CW, who is becoming the go-to network for comic book properties, especially DC ones. As of now, only a pilot has been ordered so it’s unclear whether there will be a full series yet.
The show portrays Jefferson Pierce (Black Lightning’s alter ego) as an older hero that has retired from the vigilante life, only to be pulled back in by the actions of his daughters. It will also be the only currently airing comic book show with a person of color in the lead.
Williams will be familiar to CW fans; he previously starred in Hart of Dixie, which wrapped after four seasons in 2015. He’s also had supporting roles in many other shows like Friday Night Lights, Grey’s Anatomy, and ER.
Black Lightning has had a sporadic publishing history. There have been several short lived ongoing series but he has also been featured as a guest in many others. He was one of DC’s first major African-American superheros, debuting in 1977, and has been a member of of the Outsiders and Justice League of America.
