The CW has ordered an army pilot, Valor, and is the likely landing spot for Black Lightning, a comic book series previously tied to Fox.
Valor explores “how the boundaries between military discipline and human desire are tested on a US Army base that houses an elite unit of helicopter pilots trained to perform clandestine international and domestic missions,” Variety reports.
“The drama unfolds in the present as well as in flashbacks to a failed mission involving one of the first female pilots in the unit, ultimately uncovering layers of personal and government/military secrets, and leading to a season-long plan to rescue a group of MIA soldiers.”
Kyle Jarrow, who will write the pilot, and Bill Harbor will serve as executive producers. Harbor was also an EP on Beauty and the Beast.
This is a definite departure from The CW’s usual fare. Though the network has been moving away from its reputation as a home for teen soaps in recent years, particularly with its superhero lineup, a military drama is quite different from its usual programming.
Speaking of superhero shows, The CW is also the likely landing spot for Black Lightning, whose pilot order at Fox we previously reported on. The series is produced by Greg Berlanti, the mastermind behind Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl — as well as Riverdale — all of which air on The CW.
According to Variety, discussions are underway at The CW and a pilot order is likely. Salim and Mara Brock Akil, a married writing duo who have also written for The Game and Being Mary Jane, have been attached to write the pilot as well as co-executive produce.
The synopsis we got for Black Lightning back in September reads:
Jefferson Pierce has made his choice. He hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend: Black Lightning. The show is based on the DC character created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.
Notably in the comics, Jefferson also has two daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, both of whom became superheroes as well: Thunder and Lightning, respectively.
The CW seems like a logical home for the series, considering that there are already four superhero shows airing (and have been renewed for the 2017-18 season).