Although Superman has played an indirect (and generally off-screen) role in the series, appearing in flashbacks and occasionally corresponding with his cousin Kara, the character has yet to be featured prominently in the show. That will change in the first few episodes of the second season, according to executive producer Andrew Kreisberg.
“Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler, and I are beyond thrilled to welcome Clark Kent and his slightly-more-famous alter ego to the world of Supergirl,” said Kreisberg in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Superman will be appearing in the first two episodes of the new season and we cannot wait to see who next dons the red cape!”
After airing on CBS for the show’s first season, Supergirl moved to The CW for the upcoming second season, which will premiere in October. The series previously hosted a crossover episode that featured the title character of The CW’s hit series The Flash (as played by Grant Gustin), and the show’s move to the new network will likely facilitate future crossovers with The Flash, as well as Arrow and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, which all exist in the same, shared television universe.
While Warner Bros. Pictures has struggled to create a shared, live-action superhero universe with its DC Comics characters in theaters, The CW’s interconnected shows have thrived on the small screen. However, Warner Bros. has shown little interest in creating a single, unified cinematic universe between its television and movie projects similar to the one Marvel Studios has developed — meaning that fans will get yet another, different version of Superman for Supergirl than the one played by Henry Cavill in Man of Steel and Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Former Glee actress Melissa Benoist stars in Supergirl, which follows the title character’s adventures in the fictional National City as she struggles to maintain a normal existence while protecting her adopted home from the constant threat of super-powered villains.
Along with Benoist as Supergirl’s alter ego, Kara, the series’ cast includes Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen, Laura Benanti as Alura Zor-El, Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant, Chyler Leigh as Alexandra “Alex” Danvers, Jeremy Jordan as Winslow “Winn” Schott, Jenna Dewan Tatum as Lucy Lane, David Harewood as Hank Henshaw, and Peter Facinelli as Maxwell Lord. Former Lois & Clark series star Dean Cain and Supergirl movie star Helen Slater play Kara’s adoptive parents, Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers.
Supergirl will air Mondays on The CW this fall.
