Every great hero needs a great villain and that is certainly the case for Black Lightning when it premieres on The CW next year. It has been announced that musical artist Krondon (Marvin “Krondon” Jones III) has landed the role of Tobias Whale, the iconic Black Lightning big bad for the first season. For hardcore comic fans, Whale is the leader of The One Hundred Gang which will play a big role in Season 1.
“As Tobias Whale, Jones will serve as the big bad facing off against Jefferson Pierce, a.k.a. Black Lightning (Cress Williams). Whale — an African-American man with albinism — is the leader of a gang called The 100, but before that he was a corrupt politician who was brought down by Alvin Pierce, Black Lightning’s father. Enraged, Whale murders Alvin Pierce and goes to ground, but when Black Lightning comes out of retirement Whale also returns to face his biggest adversary.”
In an official statement from Warner Bros. TV, Salim Akil, showrunner and executive producer said the following about the casting of Krondon.
“I was excited about Krondon when I saw his audition. He’s going to make a great Tobias. His authentic street sensibility along with an insightful intelligence is perfect for the Tobias character arc. Not to mention his regal physical bearing will be additive to making our show exciting and different.”
“Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a New Orleans neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community. Nine years ago, Pierce was a hero of a different sort. Gifted with the superhuman power to harness and control electricity, he used those powers to keep his hometown streets safe as the masked vigilante Black Lightning. However, after too many nights with his life on the line, and seeing the effects of the damage and loss that his alter ego was inflicting on his family, he left his Super Hero days behind and settled into being a principal and a dad. Choosing to help his city without using his superpowers, he watched his daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain) grow into strong young women, even though his marriage to their mother, Lynn (Christine Adams), suffered. Almost a decade later, Pierce’s crime-fighting days are long behind him…or so he thought. But with crime and corruption spreading like wildfire, and those he cares about in the crosshairs of the menacing local gang The One Hundred, Black Lightning returns — to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community. Based on the characters from DC, BLACK LIGHTNING is from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “The Flash”), Salim Akil & Mara Brock Akil (“Being Mary Jane,” “The Game,” “Girlfriends”), and Sarah Schechter (“Arrow,” “The Flash”). The Black Lightning character was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.”
Black Lightning Season 1 premieres in mid-season 2018 on The CW!
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