All 4 seasons of ‘amazing’ Netflix drama finally dropping in UK for free

DC drama Black Lightning makes its ITVX debut this month (Credit: The CW/ Mark Hill)

ITVX is making all four seasons of the superhero drama Black Lightning available to watch in the UK for free.

Based on the DC Comics character – the first Black superhero to headline his own book – it follows the adventures of electric-powered vigilante Black Lightning.

As the series begins, Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), a father of two and high school principal, has retired the spandex and the domino mask. But he’s drawn back into the crime-fighting game when a dangerous new street gang threatens his family and community.

Four seasons of Black Lightning followed his TV debut, with the character also taking part in the CW’s crossover event Crisis On Infinite Earths alongside the Flash, Green Arrow and even Tom Welling’s Superman.

Originally airing on the American broadcaster The CW between 2018 and 2020, Black Lightning was subsequently picked up by Netflix internationally, where all four seasons remained until recently.

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With the show leaving Netflix last month, Black Lightning will now be available for streaming on ITVX from 23rd March in the UK – great news for the character’s (justice) league of fans.

Cress Williams stars as Jefferson Pierce aka Black Lightning (Picture: The CW)

Viewers have continued to rediscover the show since it ended in 2020, with many describing it as one of the best things The CW ever produced.

‘Rewatching Black Lightning for the millionth time since netflix is taking it off the service and man it just doesn’t get old, it is such an incredible show and easily top 2 in the arrowverse,’ wrote paleospies on X as news of its removal dropped last month.

‘Sitting here watching @CressWilliams as “BLACK LIGHTNING” on @netflix. I enjoyed it during first runs and now again on Netflix. Great program Positivity, Strong UNITED black family. Helluva Sound Tracks. I really hate when these so-called Networks take great shows,’ said SaeedMuham68936.

‘black lightning is the best show that has ever aired on netflix,’ concurred getoverittho.

‘I’m hooked on black lightning on Netflix a really good show!’ agreed desiieagle.

‘I know I’m a little late but when I say I legit started watching black lightning at 11pm last night and am still watching it as I type this it’s an amazing show!!!!!!!!! You killed it,’ wrote coryc1920, tagging in Cress’s screen daughter, China Ann McClain.

Cress won acclaim for his performance as the show’s hero (Credit: The CW)

Elsewhere, the show boasts a 92% Fresh score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising the stars’ performances and ‘scary’ villains.

‘For now, Black Lightning remains a welcome bright spot in the doldrums of January and an intriguing attempt to recharge superhero TV,’ wrote The Guardian’s Graeme Virtue of its first season.

Eroc Deggans, of NPR said: ‘It all adds up to a magnificently-layered universe that fans of superhero TV have rarely seen before, a place where a black superhero not only takes on criminals but the stereotypes and prejudice that divide us all.’

Skye P. Marshall appears as the villainous vice-principal Kara (Credit: The CW) Comment nowWill you be watching Black Lightning?Comment Now

Giving what is described as a ‘star-making’ performance, Hart of Dixie and Prison Break’s Cress is joined by Dexter actor James Remar, who plays friend and mentor Peter Gambi.

Elsewhere, Descendants 2 star China Anne McClain and Nafessa Williams (Twin Peaks) appear as Jefferson’s daughters, whileChristine Adams plays Lynn Pierce, Jefferson’s ex-wife.

Villains include monstrous vice-principal Kara Fowdy, played by Matlock and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Skye P. Marshall.

Fans and critics praised the show’s gritty approach to superheroics (Credit: The CW)

While Black Lightning wasn’t a part of ‘The Arrowverse’ with CW heroes the Flash and Green Arrow, it shared an executive producer in Greg Berlanti.

He joined Grant Gustin’s Flash and Stephen Amell’s Arrow for a massive crossover event in 2020, as heroes throughout the DC multiverse (including Ezra Miller’s version of the Flash) battled to save their worlds from complete decimation.

Black Lightning can be streamed on ITVX from 23rd March.

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