It has today been confirmed by Marvel.com that Misty Knight, Shades, Rafael Scarfe and Claire Temple are among the characters to have been added to the first season of Luke Cage. Simone Missick (Ray Donovan) is playing Misty Knight, a Harlem police detective who is determined to learn the truth about Luke Cage. "We know fans have waited years to see Misty Knight brought to life, so we had to find the right actress," said Executive Producer/Marvel's Head of TV Jeph Loeb. "Simone blew us away with her performance as the strong-willed cop on a mission." It sounds like we'll be meeting Misty before the loss of her arm then. Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) meanwhile is Shades, a ruthless criminal with ties to Cage’s mysterious past. "Theo Rossi is a swiss army knife--no matter what you bring to him, he has a tool for it--and he’s playfully unpredictable," said Luke Cage Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker. "His Shades will be someone you hate to love."
Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction) has been cast as Rafael Scarfe, a hard-nosed NYPD detective who partners with Misty Knight in their Luke Cage investigation. "Frank Whaley has a wiry intensity that he’s imbued in Det. Rafael Scarfe," added Coker. "He’s a great counterpart to Misty, and a wonderful actor." Finally, there's Rosario Dawson's (Daredevil) Claire Temple, a character it seems will play a role in connecting these shows ahead of the formation of The Defenders. Apparently, her blossoming friendship with Luke Cage will have a major impact on both characters’ lives. "We are thrilled to have Rosario in another one of our television series," said Loeb. "Her performance as Claire Temple in Marvel’s Daredevil was astonishing and we can’t wait to see her shine in Marvel’s Luke Cage." Which of these Luke Cage casting additions gets you most excited?