When it debuted in 2018, Black Lightning brought a socially relevant and familial tone to the superhero genre on The CW. And with the series now officially becoming canonized in the Arrowverse last season, the sky's the limit for where the Pierce family can go next.
Though little is known about the upcoming season of Black Lightning, here's everything we know about the fourth (and final) season so far.
The Story So Far
Black Lightning Season 3 ended with Jefferson, Jennifer and Anissa Pierce exposing the ASA and their efforts to create supersoldiers through experimenting on the children of Freeland while testifying to Congress. This led to the disbanding of the ASA, as well as Congress allocating funding for a special boarding school that would help educate and house the metahuman kids. With Lynn Stewart proposing and overseeing the school -- and Jefferson being a well-respected educator -- it would make sense to see him involved in the new project for Season 4.
However, all is not too bright on the horizon. Tobias Whale is looking to take his seat back at the throne of Freeland's criminal underworld. It's safe to say some of Season 4 will involve him fighting his former lackey Lala and the resurrected Lady Eve to take back what was previously his. Additionally, Season 3 villain Gravedigger was stripped of his powers in the finale but is still at large.
Executive producer Salim Akil announced the fourth season of Black Lightning would be the series' last in November 2020. However, a spinoff is currently being planned for Jordon Calloway's Painkiller as he heads to Akashic Valley in order to find peace.
Filming
Unlike many other shows in the Arrowerse, Black Lightning Season 3 was not impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as it filmed from July 2019 to January 2020. However, it has affected the start of filming for Season 4, which was scheduled to start in the summer. Filming finally started in mid-October 2020.
Cast and Crew
It's assumed that Season 4 will see returning main cast members Cress Williams (Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning), China Anne McClain (Jennifer Pierce/Lightning), Nafessa Williams (Anissa Pierce/Thunder), Christine Adams (Lynn Stewart), Marvin "Krondon" Jones III (Tobias Whale), Jordan Calloway (Khalil Payne/Painkiller) and James Remar (Peter Gambi). Chantal Thuy (Grace Choi) was promoted to series regular after being on the show since the beginning. In January, actor Damon Gupton revealed that his character Bill Henderson would not be returning for Season 4. The show would go on to kill off his character in the Season 3 finale when he stopped a group of Markovians from attacking Black Lightning.
New to the final season is Melissa De Sousa. She will be playing the new Freeland Chief of Police Ana Lopez, replacing the late Detective Henderson.
Release Date
Season 4 of Black Lightning will premiere on February 8, 2021.
Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce, Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce/Thunder, Christine Adams as Lynn Stewart, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III as Tobias Whale and James Remar as Peter Gambi. The fourth and final season premieres Feb. 8, 2021 on The CW.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.