The CW has had a pretty impressive lineup of DC Comics adaptations in its roster so far, starting with Arrow in 2012 and expanding the Arrowverse to include several more superheroes like Supergirl, Batwoman, and Black Lightning – to name but a few.
Now, we’ve gotten confirmation that the network is about to add another one to the fold!
Back in 2020, news spread that legendary writer, producer, filmmaker (and trailblazer) Ava DuVernay was not only directing a DC adaptation feature film, but was also spearheading the production of a TV project of teen superhero story, Naomi.
In February 2021, pilot season moved forward at the network and thus, Naomi received its pilot order. After many casting announcements, Naomi was officially picked up to series in late May.
There’s a lot to unpack with this newest addition to The CW’s DC Comics family, so here’s everything we know so far about Naomi!
Who’s behind the show?
Apart from DuVernay, who is both writing for and executive producing the series, there are many other blockbuster names attached to the project.
Jill Blankenship, who was the writer and co-executive producer for Arrow, joins Duvernay in the same capacity.
Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes join the team as executive producers, with DuVernay’s Array Filmworks producing in association with Warner Bros Television.
Additionally, Amanda Marsalis (The Umbrella Academy) directed the pilot.
What’s Naomi about?
Naomi is based on DC Comics’ 2019 comic book series of the same name, co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker (both of whom are huge names in the comic book industry) and illustrated by breakout artist Jamal Campbell.
Because the originating comic is so new, there’s so much potential for both the character arc and the storyline that has yet to be fully mapped out by the comic’s creator.
According to the official description, Naomi “…follows a teen girl’s journey from her small northwestern town to the heights of the Multiverse. When a supernatural event shakes her hometown to the core, Naomi sets out to uncover its origins, and what she discovers will challenge everything we believe about our heroes.”
Who are we going to see in Naomi?
The title character of Naomi will be played by young Kaci Walfall (Army Wives) and as the almost identical twin of the comic art, she’s the perfect fit for the role. Naomi is a self-professed nerd but “effortlessly cool” high school student who one day accidentally discovers her superpowers, setting her on a path right into the established Arrowverse.
Joining the cast as series regulars are Alexander Wraith (Orange is the New Black) as Dee, a local tattoo parlor owner; Cranston Johnson (Filthy Rich) as Zumbado, owner of a used car lot; and Camila Moreno as Lourdes, a vintage shop employee and soon-to-be friend of Naomi’s.
Rounding out the cast are Barry Watson and Mouzam Makkar, who will play Naomi’s doting adoptive parents; Mary-Charles Jones as Annabelle, Naomi’s supportive and brutally honest best friend; Aidan Gemme as Jacob, Annabelle’s long-time boyfriend; Will Meyers as Anthony, the handsome boy with a crush on Naomi and who is determined to help her every step of the way; and finally, Daniel Puig as Nathan, high school jock and Naomi’s ex-boyfriend who, though remaining her friend, still gets occasionally jealous of Anthony.
The CW’s newest superhero series, Naomi, will debut on the network on Tuesday, January 11th!