Black Lightning

:For the titular vigilante, see Jefferson Pierce.
Black Lightning is a television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The series premiered on January 16, 2018 and ended on May 24, 2021 on The CW.
The series was developed by Salim Akil, and stars Cress Williams in the role of Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, alongside China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Damon Gupton, James Remar, Jordan Calloway, and Chantal Thuy.
==Synopsis==
==Cast==
===Main cast===
*Cress Williams as Principal Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning
*T.J.Williams as Tyler Pierce/Black Superman
*China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce/Lightning
*Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce/Thunder/Blackbird
*Christine Adams as Dr. Lynn Stewart
*Marvin "Krondon" Jones III as Tobias Whale
*Damon Gupton as Chief Bill Henderson (seasons 1–3)
*James Remar as Peter Gambi
*Jordan Calloway as Khalil Payne/Painkiller (seasons 2–4; recurring season 1)
*Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi/Wylde (season 4; guest season 1; recurring seasons 2-3)
==Production==
September 2016, WB begin pitching Black Lightning to different networks."‘Black Lightning’ DC Superhero Series In Works From Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil" - Deadline The series was first put into development at Fox."Fox Nabs ‘Black Lightning’ DC Superhero Drama With Pilot Production Commitment" - Deadline On February 2, 2017, FOX passed on Black Lightning"‘Black Lightning’ Drama Eyes Move To the CW To Join Greg Berlanti Comic Lineup" - Deadline and the following day Black Lightning received a pilot order at The CW."‘Black Lightning’ DC Drama From Greg Berlanti & ‘The Game’ Duo Gets The CW Pilot Order" - Deadline On February 24, Cress Williams was cast in the lead as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning."Black Lightning: Cress Williams to Star in The CW's Latest DC Comics Pilot" - TVLine Several months later, in May, Black Lightning was ordered to series."'Black Lightning' & Lucy Hale's 'Life Sentence' Picked Up To Series By The CW" - Deadline On August 10, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III was cast as the main villain Tobias Whale."‘Black Lightning’ Adds Marvin “Krondon” Jones III As Villain Tobias Whale" - Deadline
==Connection to the Arrowverse==
Although Black Lightning aired on The CW and is connected to Greg Berlanti, Mark Pedowitz, president of The CW has stated that "at this time, is not part of the Arrowverse. It is a separate situation."The CW's Black Lightning not part of Arrowverse, crossover unlikely Berlanti had also stated previously that the series would not crossover with the Arrowverse shows while the series was still in development at Fox.FOX’S BLACK LIGHTNING SHOW WON’T CROSS OVER WITH THE ARROWVERSE
However, future crossovers have not been ruled out by Akil.‘Black Lightning’ TV Show Spoilers: What The EPs Revealed At ATX Speaking in August 2017, Pedowitz noted that "If [the showrunners] wish to bring it in, that is their call. We had a long discussion with the studio, Mara, Salim and myself. We were fine with them making it separate from the Arrowverse, they have a different point a view. If they end up wanting to go that way, that will be their decision."This Arrowverse Crossover Will Fully Take Place Across Every Show From Supergirl To Legends of Tomorrow
Jefferson Pierce would appear in the new trailer released by The CW to promote their superhero shows alongside several of the main characters from the various Arrowverse shows. Although appearing at the end of the trailer, he does not interact with any other character.
Discussing a potential Black Lightning crossover with the Arrowverse in July 2019, Cress Williams revealed that "there's been lots of talk [...] nothing official, but at this point, I wouldn't be surprised.""Black Lightning: 'There's Been Lots Of Talk' About Joining The Arrowverse" - CBR Two weeks later in August, Williams confirmed reports that characters from Black Lightning would appear in ."Black Lightning Will Be in Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover" - Screen Rant"'Black Lightning' Stars To Feature In The CW's Superhero Crossover 'Crisis of Infinite Earths' For The First Time – TCA" - Deadline
The events of Crisis on Infinite Earths ultimately led to the creation of Earth-Prime, an Earth-1-like universe that also incorporates series-relevant aspects of Earth-38, the pre-Crisis setting of , and Earth-TUD5, the pre-Crisis setting of Black Lightning. As a result, the once-separate Black Lightning is now an Arrowverse series.
==Trivia==
*The only cast member to appear in every episode of the series was and .
==Gallery==
===Logos===
Black Lightning logo.png
Black Lightning title card.gif
Black Lightning season 4 logo.png
===End title cards===
To be continued on Crisis on Infinite Earths.png|To be continued on end variant title card for 
===Promotional images===
Black Lightning first look.png|First look at Cress Williams as Black Lightning.
Black Lightning season 1 poster - Get Lit.png|Season 1 poster
Season 2 poster - High Voltage Action.png|Season 2 poster
Season 3 (Black Lightning).png|Season 3 poster
Black Lightning season 4 poster - Power Up.png|Season 4 poster
==External links==
*Official website
==References==
pl:Black Lightning (serial)
Category:Real world
Category:Television series