New Luke Cage Season 2 Character Breakdowns

Marvel fans are excited to see their four Netflix heroes (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage) all team up for The Defenders crossover event in August – but after that, there’s a new phase of solo hero series to come.

The Punisher has been in production awhile; Jessica Jones season 2 is now shooting; and Daredevil season 3 has been announced. That leaves us the next chapter of Luke Cage – and today we have some new details of about the characters we’ll see in season 2.

MCU Exchange has shared some character breakdowns for Luke Cage season 2. Check them out below:

Luke Cage Season 2 Characters

[BYRON] 30 – 45, 6’0 or taller, Jamaican, but open to Black Caribbean or African Descent. The smartest man any room, the most effortlessly powerful man in any situation. A natural leader, brimming with resentment, but focused on justice. Physically fit and wildly intelligent. Speaks with a native accent from Jamaica / Caribbean / Africa, etc.SERIES REGULAR

[TAMARA] mid-20’s – early 30’s, African American, female, earthy. A brilliant, confident business owner who prides herself on her independence.. As much as she tries to stay far from trouble, it seems to always find her. ACTORS MUST BE STRONG SINGERS. SERIES REGULAR

As always, these names are used to keep actual character reveals secret from eager fans who love to speculate – and as always, the subterfuge hasn’t lasted long. Here’s the early theory on which Marvel Comics characters “Byron” and “Tamara” will be… 

A Foe

Byron’s Jamaican/Caribbean background and description of being intelligent and physically fit has led to the conclusion that he’s actually Bushmaster. Bushmaster was several characters in Marvel Comics, but the most likely one for the Luke Cage show was John Mclver, a Caribbean gangster who became a powerful crime boss, and bumped heads with the likes of Luke Cage, Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, and Iron Fist. He kidnapped Claire Temple and Dr. Burstein, using them to blackmail Cage into surrendering Misty Knight to him – with the added incentive of being able to provide evidence that could clear Cage’s name.

Bushmaster used Burstein’s experiments to give himself even more power than Luke Cage; however, those powers eventually turned him into an immobile steel statue. Even when he found second life as “Power Master,” he was thwarted and destroyed when he absorbed too much energy. 

John Mclver’s brother, Quincy (a quadruple amputee), would eventually be outfitted with cybernetic arms and a cybernetic snake tail, to become the second Bushmaster. 

Luke Cage season 2 could be setting the stage for Bushmaster to be a “big bad” for Luke to fight – and a possible reason for the fan-fav Heroes for Hire team (Luke, Iron Fist, Colleen, and Misty) to come together. In short: it sounds like a perfect followup to The Defenders crossover. 

A Friend

MCU Exchange theorizes that, based on some audition tape material – Luke Cage season 2 will change a bit of Marvel Canon and give Luke a sister, instead of a brother, as it is in the comics. 

Luke’s family (mom and sibling) became estranged when he goes to prison; Luke Cage season 2 could have that family reunion as a way of fleshing out Luke’s backstory and character – and having a sister would certainly add a new character dynamic to the show. 

Speculation gets a little wilder when it gets to the Marvel Comics history of Luke Cage’s brother: he got superpowers from a supervillain called Coldfire – who is already set to appear in Jessica Jones season 2. So, the more wild theory is that the two heroes (who actually become a couple and co-parents of a daughter in the comics) could have intersecting sophomore seasons of their respective shows. If Luke Cage season 2 also has some sort of Heroes for Hire kick-off, then it will quickly become one of our most anticipated Marvel events of next year. 

We’ll keep you updated.