Luke Cage season 2: Marvel series gets renewed by Netflix

Mike Colter's bulletproof Harlem hero will also be featured in the upcoming team-up series, The Defenders

The Marvel universe is solidifying its Netflix empire, with the announcement Luke Cage has been renewed for a second season (via The Hollywood Reporter).

The new episodes join what's quite a loaded slate for Marvel's TV output on the streaming giant: Daredevil has already been renewed for a third season, Jessica Jones is also getting a season 2, and there are three new series currently in the works - Iron Fist, Daredevil spin-off The Punisher, and Netflix's own Avengers-style mash-up The Defenders.

Mike Colter will, of course, return as the titular Harlem hero blessed with bulletproof skin; though there's no confirmation on how the rest of the cast will fill out, though Rosario Dawson will presumably make an appearance as Claire Temple again.

Netflix hasn't given a release date yet for Luke Cage's second season, and it may be a while before we see it hit screens, considering how closely packed the current slate is: The Defenders, Iron Fist, and The Punisher are all pitched for a 2017 release - which perhaps leaves Daredevil season 3, Jessica Jones season 2, and Luke Cage season 2 to fill out 2018?

We'll have to see - although fans can always go back and rewatch the well-received first series, especially if they want to catch the very subtle Back to the Future Easter egg hidden in one of the episodes.

Meanwhile, Marvel also has plenty of shows in the works elsewhere; including FX's upcoming X-men take Legion, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current fourth season, The Inhumans, Hulu's The Runaways, and Freeform's Cloak and Dagger.