Painkiller: Black Lightning spin-off gets some major casting updates

Things are starting to come together for Black Lightning spin-off Painkiller.

As The CW continues to make preparations for next season’s TV schedule, there have been announcements made about the unfortunate fates of Arrowverse spin-offs Green Arrow and the Canaries and Wonder Girl. Meanwhile, the network ordered pilots of both Naomi and The Powerpuff Girls. We have yet to hear the fate of planned Black Lightning spin-off Painkiller as the backdoor pilot has yet to air.

However, things are coming together for the series. Deadline has now revealed additional castings. The names are as follows: Sibongile Mlambo, Alexander Hodge and James Roch. Jordan Calloway, of course, will be reprising his role as the former enforcer of The 100-turned-anti-hero Khalil Payne aka Painkiller.

Mlambo will be portraying “Maya” described as a “strikingly attractive woman” but “icy and mysterious.” Hodge is playing “Philky” who was once homeless in Gotham City as he struggled with alcohol. The character is described as a part-time bartender and also a gifted tech-wiz. Roch plays “Cousin Donald” who was a medic in the Marines and reportedly is a “larger-than-life, gentle giant” dressed usually in a “juxtaposition of his military past.”

Has Painkiller been picked up by The CW?

Painkiller has not yet been picked up by The CW. However, it does get the chance to develop a pilot episode because that installment will take place as a backdoor pilot during Black Lightning‘s final season.

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Fans are interested to hear more details on the proposed Painkiller series and they undoubtedly will as it grows closer to the air date – details that include the story, setting, release date and whether or not some other characters from Black Lighting (or any of the other shows within the Arrowverse) may be included. Most of all though, after the network decided against picking up Green Arrow and the Canaries and Wonder Girl, fans are interested to see if The CW will give Painkiller a chance.

Black Lightning showrunner, Salim Akil, will be writing, executive-producing and directing the spin-off’s backdoor pilot episode.

So, what do you think? Are you looking forward to the Painkiller series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!