<Ul> <Li> Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning : A retired superhero with the ability to harness and manipulate electricity who works as a principal at Garfield High School . He returns to fighting crime after his daughters are kidnapped by a local gang . Kaden Washington Lewis portrays teenage Jefferson Pierce . </Li> <Li> China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce : Jefferson 's younger daughter , who is `` an independent , outspoken scholar - athlete with a wild streak of her own '' , who also possesses powers where her cells start generating energy ; her electric power is orange unlike her father 's which is blue . </Li> <Li> Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce / Thunder : Jefferson 's elder daughter who is in medical school and teaches part - time at Jefferson 's school . Anissa is a metahuman like her father , having an ability to manipulate her density with her breathing and emotions , endowing herself with superhuman strength and near invulnerablity . She can also create powerful shockwaves against opponents with this power during combat . In addition , she has an accelerated healing factor . She eventually fights crime as Thunder , and later becomes her father 's protégée and partner . Describing her character as a positive role model , Williams said `` I 'm just really grateful to tell the story for young lesbians -- and black lesbians in particular ... My hope is that when you watch Anissa , a young lesbian is inspired to walk boldly as who she is and to love herself and to love herself exactly how she looks . '' </Li> <Li> Christine Adams as Lynn Stewart : A neuroscientist at Bowman College and Jefferson 's ex-wife . </Li> <Li> Marvin `` Krondon '' Jones III as Tobias Whale : A former politician who rose through the ranks of local government through corruption but was brought down by Jefferson 's father , Alvin . After killing Alvin , Tobias was exiled and became the leader of the 100 . Despite being Black Lightning 's chief adversary and wants to kill him , Whale also becomes involved with the A.S.A. 's efforts to capture and study him . </Li> <Li> Damon Gupton as Billy Henderson : A veteran detective inspector with the police who becomes an unlikely ally to Jefferson , despite his role in the community . After exposing the dirty Deputy Chief , Cayman , he is appointed to replace him . </Li> <Li> James Remar as Peter Gambi : Jefferson 's oldest friend who became a father figure and mentor to him and works as his `` tailor '' while having connections with Lady Eve . His real name is Peter Esposito and was a former member of the A.S.A. until he turned against the organization and gave information to Alvin Pierce , resulting in his murder . </Li> </Ul>
<Ul> <Li> Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning : A retired superhero with the ability to harness and manipulate electricity who works as a principal at Garfield High School . He returns to fighting crime after his daughters are kidnapped by a local gang . Kaden Washington Lewis portrays teenage Jefferson Pierce . </Li> <Li> China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce : Jefferson 's younger daughter , who is `` an independent , outspoken scholar - athlete with a wild streak of her own '' , who also possesses powers where her cells start generating energy ; her electric power is orange unlike her father 's which is blue . </Li> <Li> Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce / Thunder : Jefferson 's elder daughter who is in medical school and teaches part - time at Jefferson 's school . Anissa is a metahuman like her father , having an ability to manipulate her density with her breathing and emotions , endowing herself with superhuman strength and near invulnerablity . She can also create powerful shockwaves against opponents with this power during combat . In addition , she has an accelerated healing factor . She eventually fights crime as Thunder , and later becomes her father 's protégée and partner . Describing her character as a positive role model , Williams said `` I 'm just really grateful to tell the story for young lesbians -- and black lesbians in particular ... My hope is that when you watch Anissa , a young lesbian is inspired to walk boldly as who she is and to love herself and to love herself exactly how she looks . '' </Li> <Li> Christine Adams as Lynn Stewart : A neuroscientist at Bowman College and Jefferson 's ex-wife . </Li> <Li> Marvin `` Krondon '' Jones III as Tobias Whale : A former politician who rose through the ranks of local government through corruption but was brought down by Jefferson 's father , Alvin . After killing Alvin , Tobias was exiled and became the leader of the 100 . Despite being Black Lightning 's chief adversary and wants to kill him , Whale also becomes involved with the A.S.A. 's efforts to capture and study him . </Li> <Li> Damon Gupton as Billy Henderson : A veteran detective inspector with the police who becomes an unlikely ally to Jefferson , despite his role in the community . After exposing the dirty Deputy Chief , Cayman , he is appointed to replace him . </Li> <Li> James Remar as Peter Gambi : Jefferson 's oldest friend who became a father figure and mentor to him and works as his `` tailor '' while having connections with Lady Eve . His real name is Peter Esposito and was a former member of the A.S.A. until he turned against the organization and gave information to Alvin Pierce , resulting in his murder . </Li> </Ul>
who plays the youngest daughter in black lightning
who plays the youngest daughter in black lightning
China Anne McClain
China Anne McClain