Today The CW released four first look trailers at their upcoming series during CW Upfront in New York.
The first look trailers include Black Lightning, which will be the network’s fifth superhero series. The CW president Mark Pedowitz spoke about each series and for Black Lightning, he noted that the series will exist outside of “the Arrowverse”. The topic of genre over-saturation was also brought up and he said, “we believe we have the best superhero programming around everywhere.”
As The CW continues to maintain a balance between their superhero and supernatural-related shows, the network is bringing Dynasty, Life Sentence and Valor into the fold. Dynasty is a reboot of the 1980’s soap drama and comes from the executive producers of Gossip Girl and The O.C, so you can bet it is going to be filled with drama and secrets.
Next up is Life Sentence which stars Pretty Little Liars’ Lucy Hale as the female lead diagnosed with terminal cancer. She then finds out she’s not dying after all and now has to cop with the rash of life choices she made when she thought her life would soon be over.
Then there’s Valor, which seems like a strange choice for the network and many have already commented on the series saying it won’t last long. With several military dramas picked up over the past few weeks by various networks, Pedowitz claimed he has been trying for the past six years since he arrived at the network to launch a military drama. The CW already has two previous failed attempts under their belt, and Valor is “the best version of what we could do”, which doesn’t instil much faith.
Check out the trailers below and tell us your thoughts on the new series in the comments below!
DYNASTY
Fallon Carrington is charismatic, cunning, and poised to become the new COO of her father’s global energy empire – or so she thinks. When her father, Blake Carrington, summons Fallon and her brother, Steven, home in Atlanta, Fallon is horrified to learn that the reunion isn’t to announce her promotion – but rather to make the acquaintance of their stepmother-to-be, Cristal. Family dynasties flow through blood, and Fallon would sooner draw blood than call Cristal “Mom.”
Starring Nathalie Kelley (The Vampire Diaries), Elizabeth Gillies (Victorious), Grant Show (Devious Maids), James Mackay (The Dressmaker) and Alan Dale (Once Upon A Time).
BLACK LIGHTNING
Jefferson Pierce is a man wrestling with a secret. Nine years ago, Pierce was gifted with the superhuman power to harness and control electricity, which he used to keep his hometown streets safe as the masked vigilante Black Lightning. However, after too many nights with his life and his family on the line, he left his Super Hero days behind. Almost a decade later, Pierce’s crime-fighting days are long behind him…or so he thought. But with crime and corruption spreading like wildfire, Black Lightning returns — to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community.
Starring Cress Williams (Hart of Dixie), China Anne McClain (Descendants 2), Nafessa Williams (Code Black), Christine Adams (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D).
LIFE SENTENCE
Stella has spent the last eight years living like she was dying (because she was). But when she finds out that her cancer has been cured, she is suddenly forced to face the long-term consequences of the “live in the moment” decisions she made. With a real future suddenly in front of her, Stella’s cinematic life snaps into reality, and instead of living like she’s dying, she will have to learn to live like she’s living, and help her family and friends do the same.
Starring Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars), Elliot Knight (Once Upon A Time), Brooke Lyons (iZombie) and Gillian Vigman (The Hangover).
VALOR
An elite unit of U.S. Army helicopter pilots called the Shadow Raiders are sent on a top secret mission that goes terribly awry. Only two members of the team return safely: Warrant Officer Nora Madani and her commanding officer, Captain Leland Gallo. Nora and Gallo grow closer, and soon find themselves torn between duty, honor and desire.
Starring Christina Ochoa (Blood Drive), Matt Barr (Sleepy Hollow), Charlie Barnett (Chicago Fire), Corbin Reid (How To Get Away With Murder) and Mac Brandt (Kingdom).
