Tala Ashe Cast as New Addition to Waverider Team on Legends Of Tomorrow

Looks like Legends Of Tomorrow's superhero team is going to get a little bit bigger when the series returns for its third season later this year. The ragtag group of heroes are apparently going to be joined by Tala Ashe. She'll be playing a Muslim-American woman by the name of Zari Adrianna Tomaz who takes a set on the Waverider. Ashe is the first to join the series after word of more characters being introduced in Season 3 was revealed by Legends Of Tomorrow's showrunner, Phil Klemmer.

According to Klemmer, new characters in Season 3 are a certainty. Klemmer points out in the interview where he discusses the third season that despite not knowing what direction the next season would take, he's sure of new characters joining the series. That said, Tala Ashe joining the cast is merely the first instance of a new character being added. While we wait and see who else enters the fold, we should focus on Tala Ashe's role as Zari Adrianna Tomaz.

At the moment, we don't know much about her role but the announcement of Ashe's part on Legends Of Tomorrow was accompanied by this brief description of her character:

"..a Muslim-American woman from the year 2030 who is living in a world of contradictions. Technology has elicited incredible change in her future — however, human nature hasn’t kept pace. Fear, prejudice, and a lack of care for the planet have forced Zari to become a “grey hat hacktivist.” A computer nerd with a wry, combative attitude, she is a woman living a double life who doesn’t realize that she has secret, latent powers derived from an ancient, mystical source."

What we can gather from that description is the world that Zari lives in is a lot like the distraught Kahndaq she's home to in the comics. The indication of a technologically changed future may seem like the world would be at peace but it's accompanied by the note of human nature not keeping pace. That in itself says there are conflicts being waged, regardless of how technologically advanced the world has become. Which would make it seem like the warring factions in Kahndaq will be depicted in one way or another on Legends Of Tomorrow.

Another interesting detail found in the character description is how Zari-Adrianna Tomaz is living a double life that involves ancient, mystical powers. The indication of having mystical powers calls back to Adrianna Tomaz's comic origins. Not much else is said, but we should expect exploration of Adrianna's mystic powers to be tied back to Black Adam, seeing as how he's generally been the one to give her superhuman abilities in the comics. And their ties in the comics don't end there.

Zari Adrianna Tomaz's Comic Origins Explained

Unlike the comic version, she's given the first name of Zari instead of Adrianna. This instance of her character going by another name was probably changed for a specific reason. What that reason is might be pivotal or rather meaningless to the progression of Zari Adrianna Tomaz. Then again, Zari's ties to the comics will undoubtedly be addressed at some point. Potentially opening up the story up to explore more of the comic version of Adrianna Tomaz, and plainly explaining why she's taken a different name.

Most versions of Adrianna in the comics depict her becoming a member of revolutionary group fighting the corrupt regime reigning over Kahndaq. The region is home to a number of militant groups fighting for control, in addition to being home to Black Adam. It's when Black Adam stages a revolution that he recruits followers to help him maintain control, and Adrianna is one of them. She's even granted magic powers, becoming a semi-reincarnation of Isis to further assist in the takeover. Adrianna also became Black Adam's husband at one point, but then met her death at the hands of the Four Horsemen Of The Apokolips.

With Adrianna's comic history being noted, the version portrayed on Legends Of Tomorrow will likely share some tie to the comics. Even if the only evidence we have to go off is the character description revealing her ties to a set of ancient, mystical abilities. However, Adrianna Tomaz has had more than one origin in DC comics, meaning we could see any variation or mixture of her origins depicted.

Could Black Adam Be The Villain In Season 3?

Of course, the one aspect of her origin that's remained consistent is her ties to Black Adam. So, there's a good chance Adrianna's part on Legends will lead into Black Adam showing up at some point. And it also doesn't hurt that Season 3 has yet to announce a villain, placing Black Adam in contention to play said role. Keep in mind, there has yet to be any indication of who the villain will be, so it's not preposterous to see Black Adam become the villain after hearing of Adrianna Tomaz having a role to play on the series.

Unless there's a complete departure from who Adrianna is in the comics, an encounter with Black Adam is all but assured. But until we learn of Black Adam's role alongside Zari Adrianna Tomaz, this is all merely speculation. The good news is Legends Of Tomorrow can delve into almost any territory, being that it revolves around time-traveling. Making it perfectly believable for Black Adam to show up because of his connection to Zari Adrianna Tomaz. All the more reason to follow Tala Ashe on the series.

Are you excited to hear of Tala Ashe being cast as Zari Adrianna Tomaz on Legends Of Tomorrow? In addition to possibly introducing Black Adam alongside her? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.