Luke Cage Star Simone Missick On How Series Connects To Current Events

Marvel and Netflix's Luke Cage series is one in which authenticity matters, but not just when it comes to props or the look of Harlem.

Part of that authenticity is to be a reflection of what is going on in modern day America, and as many know, that involves the rampant shootings and police brutality that seem to come across our television screens on a weekly basis. Simone Missick, who plays Misty Knight in the upcoming series, discussed how current events have been woven into the show with Home and Family's Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos.

"You know, I think film and TV is this great, powerful, visual medium, but then it also gives you the opportunity to talk about things without necessarily addressing them very heavy-handedly. So we know that right now we're in a time where we are looking at the black lives matter movement, and that all kind of sparked from the death of Trayvon Martin, who was this young teenage boy visiting his dad and he was wearing a hoodie, and was attacked and murdered."

"The creator of the show Cheo Hodari Coker and the costume design team and Mike Colter the lead of the show decided that they wanted Luke Cage to wear a hoodie in order to prove and to show and to highlight visually that just because a person has on a piece of clothing and is a color doesn't mean that they're a bad person, and it's sparking conversation."

When television or film attempt to tackle sensitive subjects like this, it can easily come off as preachy or out of touch. With Luke Cage, the team has found a deft way to show that people are more than the clothes they wear or their respective race.

After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage becomes a fugitive trying to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But he is soon pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city - forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury.

Luke Cage debuts on Netflix September 30th.