CBS announced today that it has cast Melissa Benoist as the main character in its upcoming television series Supergirl, based on the DC comic book series of the same name.
Most know Benoist's work from her portrayal of Marley on Fox's Glee, but she also starred in a supporting role in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Whiplash. She's put in appearances on other TV series, as well, including Homeland, Law & Order: SVU and The Good Wife.
Now, though Benoist steps into much larger shoes, those of Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl.
Interestingly enough, Benoist is the second Glee actor to become a DC superhero. The Flash's Grant Gustin was once a regular on the Fox series, as well. That makes us think it's too bad that superheroes don't often sing.
This news comes just after CBS entertainment chairman Nina Tassler gave us more details about the network's Supergirl series. After referring to herself and her crew as feminists, she mentioned that Kara (Supergirl's alter ego) would be shown as strong and independent young woman.
"She's coming into her own," says Tassler of Kara's character on the upcoming series. "She's dealing with family issues. She's dealing with work issues. It's a female empowerment story."
The TV series stays pretty close to the comic's origin story for Kara Zor-El. She was born on Krypton, as Superman's cousin, but escaped its destruction as a child. After she arrives on Earth, a foster family takes her in and teaches her how to handle her superpowers with care.
In the TV series, Kara is 24 years old and, although she's repressed her powers and who she really is, she finds she needs them after an unexpected disaster.
Although Supergirl is one of many superhero-based television series out there now, it will be the only one featuring a female in the lead role.
Supergirl's writer is Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow), Ali Adler (Glee, Chuck) and Sara Schechter (The Flash, The Mysteries of Laura). The costume designer is Colleen Atwood, who also designs costumes for both The Flash and Arrow.
Although Kara's casting is final, CBS still needs to fill the shoes of other important characters, such as Kara's sister, Alex, and Kara's boss, Cat Grant.
[Photo Credit: Fox]
