We've known for a while now that The CW was in the process of casting a new take on Lex Luthor for the upcoming third season of Superman and Lois, and the surprising pick to play this latest small-screen incarnation of the iconic DC Comics villain was revealed to be The Walking Dead alum Michael Cudlitz back in January.
Now, we have a first look at Cudlitz's take on the character thanks to a new official still (via EW).
According to the official character description, this version of Luthor will be "known to the world as the visionary billionaire behind LexCorp, but secretly, the criminal underworld knows who Lex truly is: a brutal psychopath who terrorizes anyone he crosses paths with."
Check out the image below, and let us know what you think.
Cudlitz, who played tough-as-nails Sergeant Abraham Ford on the AMC zombie drama series before his character had his head bashed in by Negan, certainly doesn't seem like an obvious choice to play Lex, so it'll be interesting to see what fans make of this bearded iteration of the infamous baddie.
"Superman & Lois season 3 begins just weeks after Clark Kent/Superman defeated Ally Allston (Rya Kihlstedt), and Clark and Lois are now working at the Smallville Gazette together and enjoying small-town life. But the Kents' romantic bliss only shines a light on how isolating "the secret" can be, as Chrissy (Sofia Hasmik) struggles to balance a new love interest and her friendship with Lois. However, Lois' own work-life balance is put to the test when an undercover assignment reveals a deadly foe that promises to change the Kent family forever. Superman would move heaven and earth for his family, but with a villain this merciless, even that might not be enough.
Meanwhile, the Kent boys find themselves being pulled in opposite directions as Jordan (Alex Garfin) discovers what a superhero identity really means and Jonathan (now played by Michael Bishop after Jordan Elsass suddenly exited the series after season 2) searches for purpose beyond the football field. Amid all this upheaval, John Henry (Wolé Parks) is haunted by his doppelgänger's past, leading to dangerous consequences for him and Natalie (Tayler Buck). Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and Kyle (Erik Valdez) redefine their family post-separation, while Sarah (Inde Navarrette) explores what the future holds for her and Jordan now that she knows the truth about his powers. Having learned the hard way that no one else can be trusted to work with Superman, General Samuel Lane (Dylan Walsh) reclaims his post at the Department of Defense, only to face his own conflict in working with his grandson, Jordan."
Superman & Lois season 3 premieres Tuesday, March 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.