Confirmed! While we have previously reported that Alfre Woodard was in talks to play a major role in Marvel/ Netflix’s upcoming ‘Luke Cage’ series, it has now been confirmed that she will be joining the series when it premieres next year. Marvel and Netflix are clearly thrilled at the casting grab, as Woodard’s storied career includes four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award nomination, so she will definitely bring a lot to the character she will be portraying in ‘Luke Cage.’ According to Jeph Loeb, the Executive Producer and Head of Marvel Television:
“Alfre has an incredible, unique, and intimidating presence on screen that makes her perfect as a leader of the Harlem community. We couldn’t be more excited that an actress as celebrated and talented as Alfre has decided to join us on this adventure.”
And who might she be playing? Sources say that she was cast as Mariah Dillard, a politician in Harlem (where ‘Luke Cage’ will take place) with familial ties to Cage’s nemesis in the series, Cornell ‘Cottonmouth’ Stokes (she will be playing his cousin). Unlike her villainous cousin, it seems Dillard will be working to bring a new era of change to Harlem and the neighborhood she grew up in, goals that will be deterred by the arrival of Harlem’s new hero Luke Cage, as well as by the revelation of the evil acts done by her cousin Cottonmouth.
Sounds to me like a role with a lot of depth and potential, especially if we are unsure whether she will stay on the straight and narrow path or plunge into the dark side with her cousin, which could make her a formidable villain in her own right over the course of the first season of the show. What are your thoughts on Woodard’s casting? Are you excited for ‘Luke Cage’? Share your opinions below!
Source: Marvel.com
