A primary villain in The CW’s upcoming DC comics television series, Black Lightning, has been cast.

Rapper-actor Marvin “Krondon” Jones III has been added to the cast as Tobias White.

“I was excited about Krondon when I saw his audition. He’s going to make a great Tobias! His authentic street sensibility along with an insightful intelligence is perfect for the Tobias character arc.  Not to mention his regal physical bearing will be additive to making our show exciting and different,” said Salim Akil in a statement.

Krondon joins Jefferson Pierce, Nafessa Williams, China Anne McClain and Christine Adams on the cast.

According to DC Comics Universe lore, Black Lightning – created by Tony Isabella and Trevor von Eeden, first appearing in “Black Lightning #1” (1977) –  is a superhero with the ability to generate and control lightning. Originally he was a high school principal and Olympic-level athlete who became a vigilante to take down organized crime in Metropolis’ Suicide Slum. Eventually he would become a member of Batman’s team of Outsiders for many years, although he retired briefly to become secretary of education underneath president Lex Luthor. Returning to crime-fighting, he has also been a member of the Justice League. His two daughters operate as the super-heroes Thunder and Lightning.

 

An official description of Krondon’s Whale reads: “Tobias Whale, an African-American man with albinism, is the leader of Freeland’s most feared gang — The 100. But in the days before Black Lightning, Tobias was a politician, rising up the ranks of local government through corrupt and illegal means. That was until he was brought down by Alvin Pierce, Jefferson’s father. Enraged, Tobias murdered Alvin and was driven underground into exile. It’s here he found a place to rebuild, growing into the violent and methodical leader of The 100 as we find him today. But Black Lightning’s recent return has ignited Tobias’ desire to emerge from the shadows and face his biggest adversary, Jefferson Pierce AKA Black Lightning.”

Black Lightning debuts in 2018 on The CW.