Alfre Woodard Is Not Playing Who We Thought She Was In Luke Cage

Last month, it was reported that actress Alfre Woodard had joined the cast of Marvel and Netflix’s Luke Cage TV series in a villainous role. Back then, her character’s name was given as  Minetta (“a powerful woman in local politics who will have an impact on Luke Cage’s life”), and it was believed she’d actually be a version of professional criminal and a drug dealer Black Mariah, who was a foe of both Cage and Iron Fist in the comics.

Well, now Marvel has made her casting official – but they’ve highlighted a few changes.

It turns out Miss Woodard is actually playing someone named Mariah Dillard, who’s described as “a local Harlem politician – and cousin to Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes – who is looking to bring a new era of change to the streets she grew up on.” Doesn’t sound very villainous does she? Then again, Wilson Fisk had the same mission in Daredevil.

Executive Producer/Head of Marvel Television Jeph Loeb also had the following to say about Woodard’s casting:

Alfre has an incredible, unique, and intimidating presence on screen that makes her perfect as a leader of the Harlem community. We couldn’t be more excited that an actress as celebrated and talented as Alfre has decided to join us on this adventure.

Luke Cage will debut some time after Jessica Jones, with Cheo Hodari Coker serving as executive producer and showrunner.