BLACK LIGHTNING casts Jefferson’s whip-smart daughters for pilot!

The strong relationship between The CW and DC Entertainment is taking another step forward with a pilot in the works for a sixth show, Black Lightning, based on the popular comic book character of the same name.

It was previously announced that Cress Williams will star as Jefferson Pierce aka Black Lightning, a superhero with the ability to manipulate electrical currents, control force fields, and even do a bit of flying. He hung up his superhero suit long ago in favor of becoming a teacher, but as times change– particularly when a star student joins a gang and his teen daughter dives into activism, Jefferson realizes Black Lightning is needed once again.

Now, the show has found its two female leads: Jefferson’s daughters!

According to Deadline, China Anne McClain (House of Payne) will play Jefferson’s justice-seeking teenager, Jennifer. Meanwhile, Nafessa Williams (Code Black) has signed on to play his other daughter, Anissa, a 20-something med school student.

In the comics, Anissa and Jennifer become superheroes themselves in their dad’s wake, named Thunder and Lightning, respectively. Making superhero adventures a family affair isn’t at all uncommon on The CW shows, so we expect to see this play out if the show is picked up.

The CW currently airs five shows based off DC Entertainment properties: Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and iZombie.