SDCC 2018: Inside the Black Lightning Press Room

The cast and creators of Black Lightning made a hero’s return at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. When the action-packed first season came to a conclusion, we were left with tons of burning questions! Lucky for us, Cress Williams, Christine Adams, Nafessa Williams, China Anne McClain, James Remar, Damon Gutpon, Marvin ‘Krondon’ Jones III, Salim Akil, and Mara Brock Akil were all with us to provide much-needed answers about the first season and what’s ahead. Check out our interviews from inside the press room!

How Black Lightning Shocked the Industry
“A lot of people didn’t think it was sexy enough. He wasn’t going to be in his 20s or 30s. We weren’t doing an origin story. We approached it from a different place. The takeaway from this season is that we should set our own course and keep going.” — Salim Akil

“We approached the genre with a little funk on it. We had an opportunity to explore a character called Black Lightning. You have to celebrate your culture, point of view, and what’s unique. That’s what makes anything great, just being yourself.” — Mara Brock Akil

Where are Jefferson and Lynn in Season Two?
“They’re going to be coming against some incredible challenges in this next season. There’s always going to be this push and pull and I think that’s good. It keeps us guessing. It keeps the audience guessing.” — Christine Adams

What is Jennifer’s Relationship with her Powers in Season Two?
“Jennifer is still going to struggle with the fact that she’s a superhero and doesn’t want to be one. Right now, her cells are literally creating pure energy. The problem with that is she’s so powerful and still needs to learn how to control her powers, which she doesn’t like. On top of being given this “curse”—how she describes it—now she doesn’t know how to control it, making her a prisoner in her own house. She’s going to struggle with that, but not for too long. We really want to get her in the suit.” — China Anne McClain

What Does Jennifer’s Suit Look Like?
“It’s very different from Thunder’s and Black Lightning’s.” — China Anne McClain

Anissa and Jennifer’s Dynamic in Season Two
“I think Anissa is going to inspire and encourage her sister to embrace her powers until she does. Anissa feels like this is a God-given gift. We are to use it as our purpose. We have to use this gift that we’ve been given to save our community. We have to save the people who can’t save themselves.” — Nafessa Williams

What Will Happen with Anissa and Grace?
“The fans have been wanting to see that! I like to see more of Anissa’s love life this season because she’s been so into her development as a superhero and understanding how her powers work. As a result, she’s put love on the backburner. I think we’ll see her navigate that journey this season.” — Nafessa Williams

What is inside the briefcase?
“The briefcase is everything right now. I like to consider the briefcase the future of Freeland.” — Marvin ‘Krondon’ Jones III

Have Jefferson and Gambi Reconciled After the Season Finale?
“All the big secrets are out. There’s fall out from nuclear explosives. There are after shocks with earthquakes. Something that’s geologically upsetting in a relationship is going to have those kinds of ripples. The trust is shaken but not broken.” — James Remar

What Damon Gupton is Most Excited to Explore with his Character
“I’d like to dig into him a little more emotionally.” — Damon Gupton

Binge-watch the complete first season of Black Lightning on The CW or Netflix today. Season two premieres October 9, 2018 at 9/8c.