CW ‘Black Lightning’ Finds Its Two Daughters, Thunder and Lightning

Hard as it is to imagine yet a fifth DC drama joining the CW ranks, Black Lightning continues to strike. Following the addition of Cress Williams as title hero Jefferson Pierce, the new super-pilot has cast the character’s comic daughters as well, adding Nafessa Williams and China Anne McClain as Anissa and Jennifer.

Upcoming Twin Peaks star Williams will take the role of Jefferson’s older daughter Anissa Pierce, described as a twenty-something daughter who balances the demands of medical school with teaching part-time at her father’s school. The younger McClain portrays Jennifer Pierce, described as “independent, outspoken scholar-athlete with a wild streak of her own,” while both in the comics later take on the identities of Thunder and Lightning.

Produced by Greg Berlanti with The Game and Being Mary Jane creator Mara Brock Akil and her husband Salim Akil, Black Lightning’s synopsis reads:

Jefferson Pierce made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with a daughter hell-bent 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.

Black Lightning is notable as one of DC Comics’ first major African-American superheroes, and would follow as one of the first to headline a live-action series. Still uncast is the role of Jefferson’s ex-wife, Lynn.

It still remains unclear if the series would fall into the same multi-verse as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl or Legends of Tomorrow, but what do we make of the latest Black Lightning additions?

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