Update: While Deadline announced Woodard’s casting back in August, Marvel is just now confirming it. Along with confirmation of her casting, Marvel has revealed new details regarding Woodard’s role. She will not be playing a character named Minetta, but instead will be portraying Mariah Dillard, a local Harlem politician–and cousin to the recently announced Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes (Mahershala Ali).
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.
They also confirmed the show will take place in Harlem with both the above character description, as well as an updated synopsis:
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.
You can read the original report below.
With Jessica Jones having recently wrapped production, it’s time to start shifting our focus to Netflix’s next Marvel series, Luke Cage. It has been a while since we’ve heard anything regarding the series, but with production nearing close, casting announcements are finally starting to make their way out.
Per Deadline, actress Alfre Woodard has been cast in the series as Minetta. Her character is described as “a powerful woman in local politics who will have an impact on Luke Cage’s life.” Deadline also goes on to mention that, from what they’ve been hearing, it is possible Woodard will play a version of the villain, Black Mariah.
Cheo Hodari Coker will serve as showrunner on Luke Cage, with Charles Murray serving as the number two on the show. As of right now, there is no confirmed air-date for the series, although it is expected to hit Netflix sometime in 2016.
As always, for all things Luke Cage be sure to follow along here.
