Glee star, Melissa Benoist, has been cast to play the DC Comics character, Supergirl.
The hourlong drama, set to air on CBS, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “…centers on Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, who was born on the planet Krypton and escaped amid its destruction years ago.” Melissa will play Kara, who was taken in by a foster family after she arrived on earth. Her new family, The Danvers, taught her to be careful with her amazing super powers.
The show picks up with Kara at 24, frustrated due to repressing her abilities. She’s hiding her light under a bushel, so to speak. She’s also a bit of an ugly duckling with pulled back hair and glasses. However, an unexpected disaster forces her to use her powers in public. Energized, Kara takes on the mantle of SUPERHERO, doing good deeds for the folks in her community. I’m sure the glasses and bun come undone too. She’s nicknamed Supergirl by the citizens in her city.
THR reports that Melissa was one of many actresses to test for the role, edging out The Vampire Diaries/The Originals‘ Claire Holt, among others, for the part.
Melissa joined Glee during the 4th season as new McKinley High student, Marley. She was basically cast as the “new Rachel,” but unfortunately, her character never caught on. She left the series for good after Season 5’s 100th episode.
In Melissa’s defense, I blame the lack of traction on the thankless role she was expected to play. She did her best playing a one-dimensional do-gooder. It was clear that Melissa was a talented actress in the wrong role. This is a TERRIFIC and well-deserved break for her.
Arrow and Flash’s Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler (The New Normal, Glee) will pen the script and executive produce, along with Berlanti Productions’ topper Sarah Schecter. Supergirl awaits a series order.
It isn’t the first time a Glee graduate has been cast as a superhero. Grant Gustin, who played the recurring role of bad boy Warbler, Sebastian Smythe, is currently killing it as The Flash on the CW.
Also, Supergirl won’t be the first time Melissa donned a cape. In the Glee season 4 episode, Dynamic Duets, Melissa performed a duet with “Catwoman,” Becca Tobin!
