It was basically a foregone conclusion, but Marvel Entertainment and Netflix made it official this week: Luke Cage will be back for a second season.
One of the most-watched original series on Netflix, and the recipient of extremely positive reviews from critics and general audiences, Luke Cage debuted September 30 on Netflix and was the third solo series to come out of Marvel’s partnership with the streaming video service. Although the announcement video that confirmed the series’ return didn’t reveal the exact date when star Mike Colter will return as the titular, steel-skinned superhero, it did offer a nice reminder that Pop’s Barber Shop — a central location in the Harlem-based show — is indeed staying open for business.
Always forward. #LukeCage pic.twitter.com/4pnu52KFKr
— Luke Cage (@LukeCage) December 4, 2016
Along with Colter in the lead role, Luke Cage also starred Simone Missick (The Road to Sundance) as Misty Knight, who will return for the upcoming crossover miniseries The Defenders. That series will bring together many of the main characters and supporting cast from Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the upcoming Iron Fist series.
The first season of Luke Cage also featured Emmy-nominated House of Cards actor Mahershala Ali as the first season’s villain, Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction) as police detective Rafael Scarfe, Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) as Shades, and Alfre Woodard (Cross Creek) as Mariah Dillard. Rosario Dawson, who appeared in both Daredevil and Jessica Jones, reprised her role as Claire Temple.
Cheo Hodari Coker (Notorious, NCIS: Los Angeles) served as the showrunner on the first season of the series and also penned the scripts for the first two episodes, but it’s unknown whether he’ll return for the second season.
The next series to debut in the shared universe of Marvel’s Netflix shows will be Iron Fist, which will be available March 17, 2017.