Black Lightning Premiere Date Revealed

We already knew that Black Lightning would be premiering on the CW in 2018 as a midseason replacement—but now, we know exactly when the lightning is going to strike.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the newest show in the CW's ever-expanding DC superhero stable will premiere on January 16 at 9 pm EST.

Fans may notice that that particular time slot is currently occupied by fellow DC show Legends of Tomorrow. That series, currently in its third season, will move to a new night and time slot starting in February.

Confusingly, this series—the fifth DC superhero show to air on the CW, the others being Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl—is not being positioned as part of the shared continuity established for the other shows, referred to by fans as the Arrowverse. It is possible this could change in the future, but for now, don't go into this expecting Oliver Queen to show up and help launch the show.

Developed by Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil, and Salim Akil, Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, a retired vigilante with the ability to control electricity. Now a principal at a high school, Pierce returns to vigilantism at the encouragement of his daughter, when a local organized crime group called The 100 begins to gain a dangerous amount of power in his city.

In addition to Williams, who is perhaps most widely known for his work on the CW's Hart of Dixie, the series also stars China Anne McClaine, Damon Gupton, James Remar, Nafessa Williams, and Christine Adams. 

Black Lightning's first season will consist of 13 episodes. For a peek at what's to come, you can check out the trailer for the electric new show here.