Luke Cage: Season 1 (2016)
TV SeriesOptionalNetflix era
Bulletproof ex-con Luke Cage protects Harlem from gangsters and corrupt power brokers. It’s a 2016 season from Marvel’s Netflix era. Marvel added it to its official timeline in 2024, but the films don’t need it, so it isn’t in our main 81-title order. At 13 episodes, about 9h 45m in all, it streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Release date | September 30, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Episodes | 13 × ~45 min |
Why it’s worth knowing about
Luke Cage protects Harlem from Cottonmouth and Diamondback. It feeds into The Defenders.
About Luke Cage: Season 1
Season 1 picks up a few months after Jessica Jones, where Mike Colter first played Luke. He is lying low in Harlem, sweeping floors at a barbershop and washing dishes at the nightclub Harlem's Paradise. When an arms deal goes wrong, he ends up at war with club owner Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes and his cousin, councilwoman Mariah Dillard, and his past as Carl Lucas, framed and sent to Seagate prison, starts catching up with him.
Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker pitched the 13-episode season as Harlem's answer to The Wire, and Marvel Television and ABC Studios shot it around New York from late 2015 to early 2016. Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard lead a strong supporting cast with Simone Missick as Misty Knight, Theo Rossi as Shades and Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple. Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad scored it in a '90s hip-hop and soul style. Critics singled out Ali, Woodard and the music, though some found the back half slower.
Good to know
- Every episode is named after a Gang Starr song, which Coker picked by title alone to give the season an album feel.
- Harlem's Paradise hosts live performances through the season, including Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.
- Luke's hoodie was a deliberate nod to Trayvon Martin and Black Lives Matter.
- Part of the season runs at the same time as Daredevil season 2, and Rob Morgan's Turk Barrett crosses over from Daredevil.
- Hammer Industries weapons, including the "Judas" bullets, are built to get past Luke's unbreakable skin.
How to watch it
Watch Jessica Jones season 1 first, since it introduces Luke and Reva Connors, whose story matters here. Daredevil season 2 overlaps this season and can be watched alongside it. Mahershala Ali's Cottonmouth is the season's biggest draw. Go to Iron Fist and then The Defenders afterward, where Luke's story continues.
Where to watch Luke Cage: Season 1 in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Luke Cage: Season 1 outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
Related guides
Luke Cage: Season 1 FAQ
Do I need to watch Jessica Jones before Luke Cage season 1?
It helps. Luke Cage is introduced in Jessica Jones season 1, and this season starts a few months after it, with Reva Connors' story carrying over.
Who plays Cottonmouth in Luke Cage?
Mahershala Ali plays Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes. Critics singled out his performance and Alfre Woodard's as highlights of the season.
Why are Luke Cage season 1 episodes named after songs?
Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker titled every episode after a Gang Starr song to make the season feel like an album.
Can you skip Luke Cage: Season 1?
Yes. It’s been on Marvel’s official timeline since 2024, but none of the films depend on it.
How many episodes does Luke Cage: Season 1 have?
Luke Cage: Season 1 has 13 episodes, around 45 minutes each.
Is Luke Cage: Season 1 part of the MCU?
Marvel added the Netflix shows to its official Disney+ timeline in 2024, so they now count as part of the MCU. We keep them out of our main 81-title order because the films don’t depend on them; our Netflix canon guide explains the details.