Black Lightning Character Breakdowns And Synopsis Released
The Berlantiverse is getting another addition in the new Black Lightning series. The pilot was originally scheduled for FOX, but the project has now been transferred to The CW, and now fans have a much better idea of the characters involved.
Courtesy of The Hashtag Show (via CBR), four character breakdowns have made their way online, including Black Lightning himself Jefferson Pierce. The descriptions also include three other main characters named Jennifer, Anissa, and Lynn, Pierce's two daughters and his ex-wife.
"JEFFERSON PIERCE: "Male, African-American, late 30s to 50. Handsome, fit, with an athletic build. Former 3-time gold medal decathlon winner who is now principal of a high school in South Central Los Angeles. A father figure to his student and hero to the local community. JEFFERSON is charming, charismatic, smart, and has both warmth and humor. He is devoted to his two daughters and remains deeply in love with his ex-wife LYNN. He also has a great passion for justice and a quick temper that he has spent years learning how to control. Think Idris Elba. LEAD."
JENNIFER: Female. African-American, LEGAL 18 to play 16. JEFFERSON's younger daughter. JENNIFER is a scholar athlete; beautiful with a lean, athletic runner's build. She is the entitled feminist of the Pierce family. Independent and outspoken with a wild streak. SERIES REGUALR, ASP.
ANISSA: Female. African-American, to play 22. JEFFERSON's elder daughter. Beautiful, quick-witted and intelligent; intense and passionate. ANISSA has a great respect for her father. ANISA balances the demands of medical school with her duties as a part time teacher at JEFFERSON's school. SERIES REGULAR, ASP.
LYNN: Female, African-American, mid 30s to 50. Exudes confidence and intelligence. Beautiful, but not to be trifled with. Can exhibit both great emotional depth as well as a flirtatious, mischievous side. SERIES REGULAR, ASP."
The biggest takeaways from the descriptions are that CW is going for an Idris Elba type for Pierce and that their age range for both Pierce and Lynn is 33 to 50. It shows they're open to a more mature presence on the show, especially compared to the relatively young cast of shows like The Flash. To get a better idea of the series in general, the official synopsis can be located below.
Black Lightning centers on Jefferson Pierce. He made his choice: He hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with a daughter hellbent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he'll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend Black Lightning.
It's important to note that this is currently just a pilot order, but if it is cleared for a full series, it would be the fifth Arrowverse show on the network.
MORE ARROWVERSE NEWS: CW Orders Black Lightning Pilot / Arrow Stars Thanks Fans for Season 6 Renewal / Will Diggle's Son Grow Up To Be Connor Hawke on Arrow? Marc Guggenheim Answers