When The CW picked up Black Lightning, another superhero show executive produced by Greg Berlanti, we speculated that it would only be a matter of time before it crossed over with the other DC series on the network. But in a press conference call this morning to discuss its new schedule, CW President Mark Pedowitz said that Black Lightning is actually not part of what is known as the Arrowverse and a crossover is not in the cards—for now. “We do not aim to do a five-way crossover,” he said. “Black Lightning at this time is not part of the Arrowverse. It is a separate situation.” He did add that there will be a “big fourth quarter crossover with all of the shows that are on in the fall,” i.e. Arrow, Supergirl, Legends Of Tomorrow, and The Flash.
Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, a former vigilante with the power to control electricity who is now a high school principal. That is, until he decides it’s time to reassume his mantle. In addition to Berlanti, the show also comes from Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil. In the call, Pedowitz promised: “We’re going to have something very unique in Black Lightning, which is a little bit more than a superhero situation.” It will debut in midseason.