Luke Cage casts two comic book villains in season 2

There will be some new faces around Harlem when Marvel’s Luke Cage returns for season 2. Mustafa Shakir (The Night Of) and Gabrielle Dennis (Insecure) have joined the second season’s cast, Marvel announced Wednesday.

Shakir will play John McIver, who is described as a “natural leader brimming with charisma, whose mission is focused on Harlem and vengeance.” In the comics, John McIver is also known as Bushmaster, a criminal mastermind who crosses paths with Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

Dennis has been cast as Tilda Johnson, a brilliant holistic doctor who can’t seem to steer clear of Harlem’s trouble no matter how much she tries. Comic book fans may know Johnson as Nightshade, a criminal who boasts super-genius intelligence. At this time, it’s not clear whether or not Johnson and McIver will follow their comic book destinies.

“I can’t wait for audiences to see the compelling paces we put both Mustafa and Gabrielle through,” executive producer and showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker said in a statement. “From the moment you see each of them on screen, I feel they will be powerful additions to the world of Marvel and Harlem’s Luke Cage.”

“Mustafa’s incredible presence and power ignited us from our first meeting, and Gabrielle brings the charm and smarts to a very complicated role,” executive producer Jeph Loeb said. “Both will be wonderful additions to our already magnificent cast.”

Season 1 cast members Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Rosario Dawson, Alfre Woodard, and Theo Rossi are returning for the sophomore season.

Although a premiere date is yet to be announced for Luke Cage season 2, you won’t have to wait too long to see Colter as Luke Cage again because he’s starring in this summer’s Marvel team-up series The Defenders, which premieres Aug. 18.