The CW continues its streak of successful DC shows with the addition of Black Lightning. The new series debuted to over a million viewers on Tuesday night.
Black Lightning got off to an impressive start with 2.3 million viewers and a 0.8 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic (Live+same day). Those numbers are the highest for a non-crossover DC episode in the 9 p.m. Tuesday night timeslot. It beats the fall 2016 series premiere of The Flash episode titled "No Tomorrow," which drew a 0.5 rating in adults 18 to 49.
Likewise, the season 1 premiere of Black Lightning titled "The Resurrection" marks the biggest success The CW has had in quite a while since Legends of Tomorrow premiered to a whopping 3.2 million views.
The time-travel series opened with a 0.8 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic and topped the total viewers of Riverdale's midseason debut by 34 percent. This is also the first time that the network lured this much audience since Supernatural left the 9 p.m. timeslot three years ago.
The show's premise attributes to the audience response to Black Lightning. It involves the political issues concerning the black race. Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, who plays Tobias Whale, said that it is "rooted in race as the world is now." The actor, who plays the leader of a gang called The 100, hopes that the context of the series starts a dialogue about the realities of the world today.
"I think that it's relatable to real life. Like, even though it's a universe or multiverse or whatever you want to call it, right? It's still very much so in today's time. It's dealing with the truths of today, whether you are a single mother, single father, student, gay or straight, black or white, dark or light, you know? It's dealing with the truths and the realities that you may deal with of substance in your own life," Jones III told ComicBook.
Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as the titular character who also goes by the name of Jefferson Pierce, China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce, Jefferson's younger daughter, and Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce, the older daughter. Christine Adams plays the role of Jefferson's estranged wife, Lynn Pierce. Other cast include James Remar as Peter Gambi, Jefferson's oldest friend, and Damon Gupton as William Henderson, a veteran police inspector who is also Jefferson's ally.
Black Lightning airs Tuesday nights on The CW at 9 p.m. It follows The Flash, which airs at 8 p.m.
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