Black Lightning

*For the titular vigilante, see Jefferson Pierce.*

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"*It is time that people know that Black Lightning is back.*"
—Jefferson Pierce to Lynn Stewart[src]
***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

Based on the characters from DC, BLACK LIGHTNING is from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (*Arrow*, *DC's Legends of Tomorrow*, *The Flash*, *Supergirl*), Salim Akil & Mara Brock Akil ("Being Mary Jane," "The Game," "Girlfriends") and Sarah Schechter (*Arrow*, *DC's Legends of Tomorrow*, *The Flash*, *Supergirl*). The Black Lightning character was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.[src]

## 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. The series was first put into development at Fox. On February 2, 2017, FOX passed on *Black Lightning* and the following day *Black Lightning* received a pilot order at The CW. On February 24, Cress Williams was cast in the lead as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning. Several months later, in May, *Black Lightning* was ordered to series. On August 10, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III was cast as the main villain Tobias Whale.

## 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." Berlanti had also stated previously that the series would not crossover with the Arrowverse shows while the series was still in development at Fox.

However, future crossovers have not been ruled out by Akil. 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."

Jefferson Pierce would appear in the new *Suit Up* 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." Two weeks later in August, Williams confirmed reports that characters from *Black Lightning* would appear in *Crisis on Infinite Earths*.

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 *Supergirl*, 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 Nafessa Williams (Anissa Pierce) and T.J.Williams (Tyler Pierce) .

## Gallery

### End title cards

To be continued on Crisis on Infinite Earths.pngTo be continued on *Crisis on Infinite Earths* end variant title card for "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Earth Crisis"
### Promotional images

Black Lightning first look.pngFirst look at Cress Williams as Black Lightning.Black Lightning season 1 poster - Get Lit.pngSeason 1 posterSeason 2 poster - High Voltage Action.pngSeason 2 posterSeason 3 (Black Lightning).pngSeason 3 posterBlack Lightning season 4 poster - Power Up.pngSeason 4 poster

## References

1. ↑ "‘Black Lightning’ DC Superhero Series In Works From Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil & Salim Akil" - Deadline
2. ↑ "Fox Nabs ‘Black Lightning’ DC Superhero Drama With Pilot Production Commitment" - Deadline
3. ↑ "‘Black Lightning’ Drama Eyes Move To the CW To Join Greg Berlanti Comic Lineup" - Deadline
4. ↑ "‘Black Lightning’ DC Drama From Greg Berlanti & ‘The Game’ Duo Gets The CW Pilot Order" - Deadline
5. ↑ "*Black Lightning*: Cress Williams to Star in The CW's Latest DC Comics Pilot" - TVLine
6. ↑ "'Black Lightning' & Lucy Hale's 'Life Sentence' Picked Up To Series By The CW" - Deadline
7. ↑ "‘Black Lightning’ Adds Marvin “Krondon” Jones III As Villain Tobias Whale" - Deadline
8. ↑ The CW's Black Lightning not part of Arrowverse, crossover unlikely
9. ↑ FOX’S BLACK LIGHTNING SHOW WON’T CROSS OVER WITH THE ARROWVERSE
10. ↑ ‘Black Lightning’ TV Show Spoilers: What The EPs Revealed At ATX
11. ↑ This Arrowverse Crossover Will Fully Take Place Across Every Show From Supergirl To Legends of Tomorrow
12. ↑ "Black Lightning: 'There's Been Lots Of Talk' About Joining The Arrowverse" - CBR
13. ↑ "Black Lightning Will Be in Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover" - Screen Rant
14. ↑ "'Black Lightning' Stars To Feature In The CW's Superhero Crossover 'Crisis of Infinite Earths' For The First Time – TCA" - Deadline
15. ↑ "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five"
16. ↑ "The Book of Markovia: Chapter One: Blessings and Curses Reborn"
17. ↑ "Marathon"

pl:Black Lightning (serial)