A couple of weeks ago, when Marvel officially announced the casting of Krysten Ritter in the title role of the upcoming Netflix series A.K.A. Jessica Jones, we heard rumors that Mike Colter was the frontrunner for the role of Luke Cage, another Marvel superhero that will be getting a series of his own. Today, Marvel made that rumor official, confirming that Colter had signed on.
Here’s the word, straight from Marvel:
Marvel and Netflix are proud to announce that Mike Colter will star as Luke Cage in “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,” an all-new 13-episode series premiering on Netflix in 2015 following “Marvel’s Daredevil.”
During the course of an investigation in New York City, private investigator Jessica Jones encounters the enigmatic Luke Cage – a man whose past has secrets that will dramatically alter Jessica in ways she could never have imagined.
Colter will star opposite Krysten Ritter, who plays the title role in “Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones.”
“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” said Executive Producer/Showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”
“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage brought and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” said Jeph Loeb, Executive Producer/Marvel’s Head of Television. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,’ and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”
Colter’s most recognizable work is probably the currently web series Halo: Nightfall, where he portrays Jameson Locke. He’s also popped up in several other television roles, including appearances on The Good Wife and American Horror Story: Coven. He’ll have a recurring role as Luke Cage in A.K.A. Jessica Jones, before headlining his own spinoff which will likely air sometime in 2016.
Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones is the second of four planned Netflix series, and will debut in late 2015, sometime after Daredevil.
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