Meet the Official Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast!

Marvel Studios has officially announced the Luke Cage cast

There have been a lot of recent casting updates tied to Netflix‘s upcoming third Marvel Studios series, Marvel’s Luke Cage. Now, Marvel has officially confirmed a few of the recent Luke Cage cast additions and you can learn more about who is playing who below.

Created by Archie Goodwin and John Romita, Sr., Luke Cage is one of the most popular street level heroes in the Marvel Universe. After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage 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 Cast: Mike Colter as Luke Cage

Before the title character of the Marvel’s Luke Cage cast gets his own series, fans will get a chance to meet Colter’s Cage as a supporting character on Marvel’s Jessica Jones, premiering Friday, November 20 on Netflix.

“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” says Jessica Jones showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”

“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage brought and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” adds Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in [Jessica Jones] and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Simone Missick as Misty Knight 

“We know fans have waited years to see Misty Knight brought to life,” says Marvel’s TV Head Jeph Loeb, “so we had to find the right actress. Simone blew us away with her performance as the strong-willed cop on a mission.”

Officially described for the series as “a Harlem police detective who is determined to learn the truth about Luke Cage,” Misty Knight joins the Marvel’s Luke Cage cast having made her comic book debut in “Marvel Premiere” #21, created by Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones. Originally a police officer with the NYPD, Misty Knight lost her arm in a bombing accident, but Iron Man himself built her a new bionic arm. The character has worked as a private detective with Luke Cage throughout the comics, even leading the Heroes for Hire at one point. Knight has also been one half of the Daughters of the Dragon with her partner Colleen Wing as well as a frequent love interest for Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist.

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Frank Whaley as Rafael Scarfe

“Frank Whaley has a wiry intensity that he’s imbued in Det. Rafael Scarfe,” said showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker. “He’s a great counterpart to Misty, and a wonderful actor.”

The official Luke Cage cast announcement lists Scarfe as “a hard-nosed NYPD detective who partners with Misty Knight in their Luke Cage investigation.” In the comics, “Rafe” Scarfe, a police Lieutenant, was created by Chris Claremont and Pat Broderick and made his first appearance in 1975’s “Marvel Premiere” #23. The former NYPD partner of Misty Knight, Scarfe was of invaluable service in assisting Luke Cage and the other “Heroes for Hire.”

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Mahershala Ali as Cottonmouth

“Mahershala is an actor of extraordinary range and gravitas. As Cottonmouth he will really let loose,” says Loeb. “Luke Cage won’t know what hit him.”

According to the official show description, Stokes is a Harlem nightclub owner who becomes an unexpected foe in Luke’s life when Stokes’ criminal activities threaten Luke’s world.

Just called Cornell Cottonmouth in the comics, the character, created by Len Wein and George Tuska, is not to be confused with Serpent Society member of the same name. A pimp and drug lord, this Cottonmouth made his first appearance in 1974’s “Power Man” #19 where he attempted to enlist the services of the Hero for Hire. Naturally, Luke Cage was not into working for a bad guy and the pair became fast foes.

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Alfre Woodard as Mariah Dillard

“Alfre has an incredible, unique, and intimidating presence on screen that makes her perfect as a leader of the Harlem community,” says Loeb. “We couldn’t be more excited that an actress as celebrated and talented as Alfre has decided to join us on this adventure.”

Alfre’s Mariah Dillard is officially described as being a local Harlem politician and cousin to Cottonmouth. She is looking to bring a new era of change to the streets she grew up on. Her personal life and professional career are thrown into turmoil by both Harlem’s newest hero Luke Cage as well as her cousin Cottonmouth’s nefarious acts.

The Mariah Dillard sounds like a new take on the comics’ Black Mariah, who made her debut in “Luke Cage, Hero for Hire” #5 back in 1973. The leader of a criminal gang called the Rat Pack, Black Mariah was never given a last name in the comics and, there, has no specific relation to Cottonouth.

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Theo Rossi as Shades

“Theo Rossi is a swiss army knife,” says Coker. “No matter what you bring to him, he has a tool for it–and he’s playfully unpredictable. His Shades will be someone you hate to love.”

Created by Archie Goodwin and George Tuska, Shades made his first appearance all the way back in 1972 in the premiere issue of “Luke Cage, Hero for Hire.” A convicted felon, Shades and his partner in crime, Comanche, escaped prison and came into possession of a visor that enables him to shoot optic blasts.

Marvel’s Luke Cage Cast: Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple

The Luke Cage cast is rounded out by Rosario Dawson, reprising her role as Claire Knight from Marvel’s Daredevil. She’ll also be back for the second season of that show and is slated to make an appearance on the upcoming Marvel’s Jessica Jones as well.

“We are thrilled to have Rosario in another one of our television series,” says 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.”

In addition to serving as executive producer and showrunner, Cheo Hodari Coker is writing the first two episodes of Marvel’s Luke Cage. Look for it to premiere in 2016, everywhere that Netflix is available.

What do you think of the Marvel’s Luke Cage cast? We’re likely to get a Danny Rand announced before too long, but who else from the comics do you want to see appear? Let us know in the comments below! 

(Photo credit: Getty Images / Joseph Marzullo / Ivan Nikolov / PNP / WENN.com)