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‘Black Lightning’ Executive Producer Explains Why Newest CW Superhero Isn’t Part of the Arrowverse

TCA 2018: ”I say this with all due respect, but they’re not really relevant to the show that we’re doing,“ Salim Akil says

| January 7, 2018 @ 10:32 AM
Black Lightning

Bob Mahoney/The CW

When The CW ordered its fifth DC superhero series, “Black Lightning,” back in May, fans were surprised to learn that there were no plans to connect it to the rest of the network’s so-called “Arrowverse.”

Launched with “Arrow” and later expanded to include “The Flash,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” and “Supergirl,” the network has built a network of DC shows that all interconnect, culminating in a multi-part four-way crossover last fall. “Black Lightning,” though, will stand alone.

“I say this with all due respect, but they’re not really relevant to the show that we’re doing,” executive producer Salim Akil explained at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. “The great thing that Warner Bros. and CW allowed us to do was create our own world. We really wanted folk to get to know this family before we started branching out.”

Also Read: The CW Sets Midseason Premiere Dates, Banishes 'Dynasty' to Friday

Akil and wife/producing partner Mara Brock Akil were not shy in their praise for WB and The CW, saying that they had the full support of the studio and network to realize their full vision for the show uncontested.

“Oftentimes there’s so many reports about studios and networks, and I just want to say again that what you see is a direct result of people supporting us in this,” Akil said. “This idea of why they’re not in this universe or why they’re not in the ‘Justice League’ is because … [we were told] ‘You’ve got to do this the way you want to do this. You’re going to live and die by that, and we support you.’ That’s what you’re seeing.”

“Black Lightning” premieres Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 9 p.m.

17 TV Winners and Losers of 2017, From 'This Is Us' to the Silence Breakers (Photos)

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Almost no one thinks it was a great year — but here’s how things stacked up on the small screen

Boy, 2017 was something -- wasn't it? While plenty has been happening in the "real world" over the past 12 months, the show continues to go on for TV. Well, not every show. When it comes to television, the winners and losers are pretty easy to define, though 2017 was such a screwy year sometimes they intertwined. Here is the breakdown for who conquered the airwaves and what crumbled in ratings.

Also Read: 13 TV Shows With the Worst Audience Declines From Last Year (Photos)

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