With The CW’s Black Lightning now in production, the first official look has been revealed as Cress Williams in the titular role.

Hart of Dixie star Williams is playing the DC Comics hero, also known as Jefferson Pierce, and the Black Lightning costume itself was designed by acclaimed costume designer Laura Jean Shannon, who actually worked on Shellhead’s suit in Iron Man. Very little is known in terms of cast for Black Lightning at this stage, but we do know that Greg Berlanti, Salim Akil, Mara Brock and Sarah Schechter are serving as executive producers on the series.

Check out the full look at Black Lightning below:

On the hero, Akil, who is also directing the series pilot from a script he wrote, said, “I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California. I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when Black Lightning was created, and finally there was a black superhero that gave a damn about our neighbourhood and our lives.”

The Black Lightning character debuted back in 1977, and Jefferson Pierce was a former Olympic athlete who was born with the abilities to create and manipulate electricity and electromagnetic fields. Returning to his home in Metropolis’ Suicide Slum later in life, Pierce became the principal of a local high school. When one of his pupils is killed by a gang, he decides to start using his powers to protect the neighbourhood and beyond as Black Lightning. So impressive and popular was the hero, he would later go on to be a member of the Justice League and the Outsiders.

Expect more on Black Lightning as it develops.