Yahoo News Black Lightning will tackle real-world problems
Black Lightning will give us the first ever black comic book superhero on network television. But the show won't stop there when it comes to breaking new ground.
The series stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, a former superhero who comes out of retirement when his family is threatened by a gang.
"The irony is, he gives up the crime-fighting because of his children and because of his wife," explains Christine Adams, playing Jefferson's ex-wife Lynn. "But it's actually his children that draw him back into it."
"I've always wanted to play a superhero," enthuses Williams. "But this is even more than that. It's a family drama, it's a character-driven superhero show, so it's even more than I wanted."
Though the comic book version of Black Lightning originated in Superman's home city of Metropolis, his TV counterpart lives in Atlanta, where the series is also shot.
"We are rooted in a real city, so we do get to tackle real issues," Williams says. "And because it's still technically fantasy, it allows people to look at something that might be a little uncomfortable, and talk about it and deal with it."
Of the decision to shift the character to a recognisable, real-world location, co-showrunner Salim Akil explains: "The Black Lightning of the comics has always been socially relevant, and so we chose a real city because we want him to address real problems.
"In Atlanta, sex trafficking is a huge problem, so we can't ignore that. We want to address that, and so that's why we chose a real city because we wanted people to recognise the villains and the problems that are surrounding the characters."
Salim also directed the pilot episode, and according to Nafessa Williams – who plays Jefferson's oldest daughter Anissa – is "really great at bringing the authenticity that this show needs".
Along with its more grounded take on superheroics, the family aspect of Black Lightning is what the cast and creators hope will set the series apart from the many other comic book shows on television.
"How do you be a superhero and be a family man?" poses co-showrunner Mara Brock Akil. "It's not very often that burden is put on superheroes. They're detached for a reason."
"I would go so far as to say family is probably the most important aspect of this show," echoes China Anne McClain, playing Pierce's younger daughter Jennifer, who – like her sister – is developing superpowers of her own.
"Our dad is the OG, he's retired, but we're just developing our powers, so instead of just dealing with normal teenagers that are getting into trouble, you're dealing with teenagers that are getting into trouble... with superpowers!"
Williams concludes: "He hung up his suit for his family, so when he puts it back on again, that's gonna create ripple effects. What is the ex-wife gonna think? She's not gonna be happy about it, I can tell you that!
"And then once the daughters develop powers, how does that affect the family? It's not just about me... every single thing ripples through the family and I'm really excited about that."
Black Lightning begins Tuesday, January 16 at 9/8c on The CW. The series will launch on Netflix in the UK on January 23.
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