Following in the footsteps of Supergirl, Black Lightning — which features Black superheroes — will also be hanging up its suit after this upcoming season on The CW. The fourth, and now last, season of the superhero drama will be premiering on February 8, 2021.
Based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, Black Lightning follows high school principal Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), who has to go back into the superhero game after years of retirement when a local gang arises. His ex-wife, Lynn (Christine Adams), is a neuroscientist who focuses on metahuman studies. Their kids, medical student and teacher Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and high school scholar-athlete Jennifer (China Anne McClain), follow in their father’s footsteps and become superheroes as well with their own metahuman powers, becoming Thunder and Lightning, respectively. The series also stars James Remar, Marvin Jones III, Jordan Calloway, and Damon Gupton.
Salim Akil, series developer and executive producer, said in a statement:
“When we first started the ‘Black Lightning’ journey, I knew that Jefferson Pierce and his family of powerful Black Women would be a unique addition to the superhero genre. The love that Blerds and all comic book fans around the globe have shown this series over the past three seasons proved what we imagined, Black People Want To See Themselves in all their complexities.”
Black Lightning will be the third Arrowverse series to end on The CW. The flagship series, Arrow, finished its 8-season run at the beginning of this year, while Supergirl will also be ending after this upcoming season after 6 seasons. However, a Black Lightning spin-off, Painkiller, starring Calloway is in development as a backdoor pilot at The CW.
