Melissa Benoist, On Playing A Role Model In ‘Supergirl’

While that’s a fresh approach given the recent climate of superhero fare, the first episode isn’t without its flaws.

On the plus side, finding the right star, and constructing a credible pilot, are big parts of the battle. What feels like several storylines that should occur across multiple episodes are burned through in just 45 minutes. She may have X-ray eyes for the handsome new art director (Mehcad Brooks as a more mature James “Jimmy” Olsen), but, since he’s a friend of her famous cousin, she also welcomes his advice on how Supergirl should demonstrate her might. “We have to bring something singular and special every week”. “The Simpsons” did it really well where you had jokes that the adults would snicker behind kids’ backs and the kids would think it’s cool and cute.

That girl is the quietly enchanting Melissa Benoist, who plays the title character in “Supergirl”.

Kreisberg said, “Supergirl represents the light and the hope and the goodness of people”. From the very start, Benoist could see the importance of her character in that regard. But when the jetliner carrying her adoptive sister Alex (Chyler Leigh) runs into trouble, Kara flies up, up, and away and saves the day.

Supergirl was still born on Krypton, of course, and she is jettisoned to Earth at 13 because Krypton is dying.

Naturally, events force Kara to show off what she can do, and she does so spectacularly, in a plane rescue that vaguely echoes the original Christopher Reeve “Superman”.

“I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Her superpowers were dormant through her teenage years and into her 20s, meaning she’s discovering them as we meet her.

Berlanti: I think our collective gut is that she is at the beginning of her journey.

Initially, Kara’s most prominent feature is her timidity. “He’s just a genius with a very clear perspective on things that don’t match up with everyone’s else’s”. We certainly don’t want that.

But a shockwave from the exploding planet sends Kara’s pod tumbling into the Phantom Zone, home to the galaxy’s deadliest criminals. So he is probably still a villain, just not “super evil”. Winslow Schott is just about the worst character on the show, though it’s likely not through any fault of actor Jeremy Jordan. That doesn’t sit well with her boss, who abhors meekness in dress and in manner. The show’s idea of an accomplished woman in authority? “We don’t know any other way to do it”. Then theres Karas sister Alex, who is the Danvers biological child and knows about Karas powers. Unlike him, she suppresses her extraordinary talents. She is always inspiring Supergirl to achieve higher heights. “I think that’s what excites us”.

Those relationships. both at CatCo and the DEO, will be important, even if it appears as if both places seemingly set out to keep Kara at arm’s length during the first episode.

Kara (Melissa Benoist) is enchantingly awkward around the polished and accomplished James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks), who instantly befriends her when he relocates to National City in “Supergirl” on CBS. “But he does play a part in her evolution of becoming a superhero”. When her ship finally broke free and landed on Earth, Superman was all grown up and Kara was still 13, so she was adopted and raised by a scientist couple.

After Benoist was cast in the role nearly exactly a year ago, she read a few of the more contemporarySupergirlcomic books, but she resisted the temptation to study them chapter and verse. Perhaps that’s what makes the moments of triumph that much more enjoyable as a viewer. “It truly doesn’t matter to me that she’s a girl because she kicks serious (butt)”.

If you’re thinking she was Princess Leia, you’re wrong.

For more with Melissa Benoist, watch the segment below.

Berlanti praised his star, noting that the show is so grueling, with its stunts and pace. Still, the burdens of being the current potential flag-bearer for female empowerment on network TV don’t seem to bother Benoist one bit.

Supergirl is ready to swoop onto TV screens on Monday, October 26 (8:30 ET/PT), on CBS, with actress Melissa Benoist wearing the cape enthusiastically.