With a new year fast approaching, it's time to plan out which new series to expect to become fast fan favorites. With so many series it can be hard to choose new ones. The CW is expanding their superhero dramas with a fifth new series, while Freeform has added a new comedy in the form of "black-ish" spin-off "grown-ish."
'Black Lightning' arrives
"Black Lightning" is set for a January 16 premiere with "Dark Matter of my Brain." The series follows Jefferson Pierce, aka former vigilante Black Lightning, as he's driven out of retirement by the rising crime and corruption in his community.
Having given up his hero identity and shelved his abilities over electricity, he must once again don the superhero suit in order to save his family and community from The One Hundred gang.
Showrunner Salim Akil shares that to him this isn't a series about a superhero, but the story of a man whose actions affect his family and community. It's about his civic duty and responsibility, with the fact that he's a superhero coming second and something Akil admits he had to remind himself was apart of the story.
Violence will play a role in the series as violence is something seen in everyday life, and Akil hints that violence often plays a part in the fight for freedom.
A few months back, Nafessa Williams teased that both of Jefferson's daughters will have abilities, which is something their father doesn't particularly approve of, while China Anne McCain adds that she's excited to have the same abilities as Black Lightning.
She adds that she has big shoes to fill.
The series stars: Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce, China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce, Christine Adams as Lynn Pierce, James Remar as Peter Gambi, Damon Gupton as Henderson, and Marvin Jones III as Tobias Whale.
Yara Shahidi goes to college in 'Grown-ish'
"Grown-ish" premieres January 3 on Freeform, spinning off from ABC hit "black-ish." "Grown-ish" follows the oldest Johnson kid Zoey as she embarks on a new chapter of her life: Freshman year of college. Trevor Jackson returns as Aaron, having previously appeared on "black-ish," while Francia Raisia appears as Zoey's first college friend Ana.
Zoey makes other misfit friends when she's stuck in a boring class with Luca (Luka Sabbat), Nomi (Emily Arlook), Sky (Halle Bailey), and Vivek (Jordan Buhat). While Zoey has gone off on her own, Tracee Ellis-Ross and Anthony Anderson will reprise their roles as Dre and Rainbow in appearances throughout.
Series lead Yara Shahidi shares that instead of bluntly tackling a political or social topic the series will take on college culture as a whole. Shahidi goes on to explain that "grown-ish" will take on various campus topics through individual storylines.
Also be on the lookout for other fan favorites to return: the newest season of "The X-Files" airs January 3 on FOX, Freeform's "Beyond" returns with a two-hour premiere on January 18, and "The Magicians" returns with season three on January 10.
