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"Mature Content Warning!" |
| “ | Harlem is my birthright, it is mine! | „ |
| ~ Mariah to Diamondback. |
| “ | I don't represent Harlem, I am Harlem! | „ |
| ~ Mariah before her interview. |
| “ | As long as everyone here as been alive, there has been a Stokes patching that wall around Harlem. You need me out there. You want me out there. Because without me, God help Harlem. God help us all. | „ |
| ~ Mariah during her trial. |
Mariah Dillard (née Stokes), also known as Black Mariah, is the main antagonist of the 2016-2018 Netflix Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero series Marvel's Luke Cage, which is based on the Marvel Comics character Luke Cage.
She is the cousin of Cornell Stokes, the granddaughter of Mama Mabel and was the councilwoman of Harlem. However, after her criminal ties with her family shattered her political career, she murders Cornell in rage and succeeds him in his criminal empire. She soon became the second biggest crime boss in New York City, controlling most of the organized crime and gangs that the Kingpin doesn't control. She had her own enforcer and consigliere (number one man) in Shades. Just like Kingpin is opposed to Daredevil, Mariah is opposed by Luke, who continually fights to bring Mariah to justice and take down her criminal empire.
She was portrayed by Alfre Woodard.
Her Evil Ranking[]
Her Villainous Deeds[]
Season 1[]
- Mariah is involved deeply in Harlem's criminal underworld while maintaining a public face as a councilwoman, using her political power to protect and advance criminal interests, especially those of her cousin Cottonmouth.
- She knowingly profits from Cottonmouth’s illegal activities, laundering money through real estate and campaign funding.
- Mariah kills Cottonmouth after he suggests she seduced the man who abused her daughter; this murder is cold-blooded and a turning point in the season.
- She frames Luke Cage for Cottonmouth’s murder, trying to manipulate the legal system.
- Mariah orchestrates the destruction of a Harlem barbershop, a symbolic community space, through indirect actions.
- She is involved in various manipulations and cover-ups to maintain her growing power over Harlem’s criminal enterprises.
- Mariah manipulates Shades into working for her and uses him as an enforcer.
- She perpetuates family betrayals, having killed or orchestrated the killings of family members, including her brother.
- Throughout, she hides the truth about her daughter's paternity and the abuse she suffered, showing deceit that affects her family deeply.
Season 2[]
- Mariah attempts to legitimize her power but continues brutal enforcement when challenged.
- She retaliates violently against Bushmaster by killing his uncle and innocent people, showing escalating ruthlessness.
- Mariah orchestrates violent attacks on her own associates and rivals, which leads to casualties and weakened alliances.
- She acts selfishly to preserve her legacy at any cost, even when it endangers others.
- Her actions contribute significantly to the ongoing gang violence and chaos in Harlem.
- Mariah’s lies and manipulations worsen her relationships, including with her daughter Tilda, who eventually turns against her.
- She is arrested but poisoned fatally by her daughter as a final act of betrayal.