Jefferson is forced to become Black Lightning again when The 100, Freeland's most feared criminal gang led by Tobias Whale, was taking over the city. Nine years ago, he was a superhero called Black Lightning until he retired after what his life was doing to his ex-wife Lynn Stewart and his daughters Anissa and Jennifer.
The series focuses on Jefferson Pierce, the principal of Garfield High School in the city of Freeland, Georgia. In January 2020, The CW renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on February 8, 2021, and served as the series' final season. The third season features the series' first tie-ins with the network's other DC Comics television series, known collectively as the Arrowverse, leading into Williams' appearance as Black Lightning in their " Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event, which results in the series' setting retroactively established as part of the Arrowverse's new continuity. In January 2019, The CW renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on Octoand ran for 16 episodes. In April 2018, The CW renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on Octoand ran for 16 episodes. The first season premiered on Januand ran for 13 episodes. The CW officially ordered Black Lightning to series in May 2017. In February 2017, Fox passed on the project and The CW subsequently picked it up with an order for a new pilot script. Originally in development at Fox, the project was given a pilot production commitment in September 2016.
The series sees the retired Black Lightning return to his life as a superhero and follows the effects of his vigilante activity on his professional and family life. Cress Williams stars as the titular character alongside China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Damon Gupton, James Remar, Jordan Calloway, and Chantal Thuy. It is based on the character of the same name, created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden, featured in publications of DC Comics. Black Lightning is an American superhero drama television series, developed by Salim Akil, that premiered on The CW on Januand concluded on May 24, 2021.