Lex Luthor will appear in Supergirl Season 4
David Farnor | On 19, Oct 2018
Lex Luthor is officially on the way to Supergirl this season.
The CW’s series, based on the DC Comics, has been a notable success in the network’s roster of superhero shows, partly because of the way it has brought a new angle to familiar characters and steered a path through existing DC lore. But while the focus has primarily been on Superman’s cousin, Kara (Melissa Benoist), and her sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), the show has also managed to feature Kal-El himself (Tyler Hoechlin). Now, after much screentime devoted to Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath), the series is also looking to feature Superman’s nemesis, and her brother, Lex.
Casting is now underway for what will be a recurring role in the current season, The CW has confirmed.
“We’re beyond excited to introduce iconic villain Lex Luthor to Supergirl and to weave him into our story this season,” exec producers Robert L. Rovner and Jessica Queller said in a joint statement. “We’ve talked about having Lex on the show since its inception, and we’re excited to have him finally arrive. We can’t wait for him to shake things up in National City and watch him go toe to toe with not only Supergirl, but his sister, Lena Luthor.”
The famous villain has been portrayed multiple times on the big screen, by Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey and (most recently) Jesse Eisenberg, but on the small screen was last seen in Smallville, when he was played by Michael Rosenbaum.
He will arrive as Superman makes a return for this December’s Arrowverse crossover, which will also feature Bateman and Lois Lane (played by Grimm’s Elizabeth Tulloch). Lex, however, will not be in the annual event, which suggests he’s being saved for the back half of the season. The first half of the season, meanwhile, premieres on Sky One on 22nd October at 8pm. Or, if you don’t have Sky, you can stream it live and on-demand legally on NOW, as part of a £7.99 monthly subscription. For more information, click here.
Supergirl Season 4 casts TV’s first transgender superhero
24th July 2018
Supergirl will continue to blaze a trail for inclusivity and representation with Season 4, as it has cast Nicole Maines to play what will be TV’s first transgender superhero.
The CW’s series, based on the DC Comics, has long been a shining light in the TV landscape, from its female lead, Kara (Melissa Benoist), to her bisexual sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), and an ongoing focus on themes of immigration and open borders. While Season 3’s finale saw a major raft of changes in the show’s cast and plot – read our review here – that signature philosophy promises to stay the same for Season 4, with Maines signing up as a series regular.
The activity, who helped to set a legal precedent for allowing trans people to use their own choice of bathrooms, will play Nia Nal, a new addition to the CatCo reporting pool. Described by Deadline as “a soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others”, she will eventually fulfil her destiny as superhero Dreamer.
Maines will be joined by April Parker Jones (Jericho, The Last Ship) as another series regular, Colonel Haley, a “hardline career military woman”, and David Ajala (Doctor Who, Nightflyers) in the recurring role of Manchester Black, a tough fighter with a dark past based on the DC Comics character. They will be joined by previously announced additions to the ensemble, including Jesse Rath (promoted to regular as the Legion’s Brainiac-5) and Sam Witwer (as Agent Liberty).
The news was announced at Comic-Con this weekend, when a new trailer giving us a proper look at Witwer’s Liberty was also unveiled. It sees him talk about mankind standing up against “the invaders” from other planets – and also gives us a glimpse of a super-new Supergirl suit.
Season 4 will premiere in the US on Sunday 14th October, with a UK premiere date on Sky 1 yet to be confirmed. Here’s the video: