Just after the news of Marvel’s Jessica Jones‘ Netflix air date (20 November, FYI), Marvel’s Luke Cage has finished its casting process. We already know that Mike Colter is playing the man himself Luke Cage, and that he’ll be joined by Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives) as Mariah Dillard and Mahershala Ali (Mockingjay Part 1) as Cage’s arch rival, Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes.
But Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb and showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker have also confirmed four more cast members.
Relative newcomer Simone Missick will be playing Misty Knight, the bionically enhanced detective with martial arts skills and Cage’s ally. In a Marvel press release, Loeb said: “We know fans have waited years to see Misty Knight brought to life, so we had to find the right actress. Simone blew us away with her performance as the strong-willed cop on a mission.”
Next up is Theo Rossi (Sons Of Anarchy), who has joined the show as criminal Alvarez AKA Shades. “Theo Rossi is a swiss army knife – no matter what you bring to him, he has a tool for it – and he’s playfully unpredictable,” said Coker. “His Shades will be someone you hate to love.”
Frank Whaley (Ray Donovan) has been cast as Rafael Scarfe, a “hard-nosed NYPD detective who partners with Misty Knight in their Luke Cage investigation.” In the press release, Coker said: “Frank Whaley has a wiry intensity that he’s imbued in Det. Rafael Scarfe. He’s a great counterpart to Misty, and a wonderful actor.”
Finally, Marvel also confirmed that Rosario Dawson will be reprising her role as Daredevil‘s Claire Temple. “We are thrilled to have Rosario in another one of our television series,” commented Loeb. “Her performance as Claire Temple in Marvel’s Daredevil was astonishing and we can’t wait to see her shine in Marvel’s Luke Cage.”
You can read Marvel’s Luke Cage‘s official synopsis below:
After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive trying to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But he is soon pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury.
Marvel’s Luke Cage is set to premiere on Netflix in all regions in 2016. Get all the latest superhero news with every issue of SciFiNow.
