Melissa Benoistknew that taking on the role of Supergirl in 2015 for the live-action DC Comics series would bring with it plenty of pressure and high expectations. In an interivew withCollider, Benoist said she was uniquely prepared for the experience of starring inSupergirl, however, because of her role onGlee. She said playing Marley Rose on the hit Fox musical comedy drama gave her the confidence to take on the mantle of the Girl of Steel.
Benoist played Marley Rosethrough two seasons and 42 episodes of the series, playing a young student with low self-esteem who finds her voice (figuratively and literally) through the McKinley High School’s Glee Club. Speaking with Collider’s Peri Nemiroff,Benoist said that Glee’s hectic work schedule and the sudden spotlight of fame prepared her for the pressures of playing Supergirl:
What I learned on Glee was that I was a really hard worker and that I could do really hard things, because the schedule on that show was grueling because there were so many moving parts. It was fun but tough. You had to rehearse the dances, you had to prerecord the songs, then you had to film the songs, and filming the songs were a lot longer. And then you also had the scene work. I knew that Supergirl was going to carry a lot of pressure, and the responsibilities were going to be immense, andI think that my experience on Glee gave me the belief that I had the ability to carry Supergirl.
Benoist’s role onGleeopened new doors, and she was cast to play Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman, when the Arrowverse expanded withtheSupergirlseries on CBS in 2015. It eventually moved to the CW, running for six seasons and 126 episodes, ending in 2021. Over the course of the series,Benoist personally earned five Teen Choice Award nominations, winning twice for Best TV Actress (Action) in 2017 and 2018.
Melissa Benoist’s Legacy as Supergirl
The shows of the CW Arrowverse remain popular among DC fans, primarily for its strong casting. Although the quality of the shows themselves slipped over time,the lead actors of Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, Grant Gustin as Bary Allen/The Flash, and Benoist as Supergirl set a high standard. Benoist herself became a popular “girl power” icon for younger viewers, who enjoyed her confident and wholesome portrayal of the character.
After the end ofSupergirl, Benoist went on to voice Teela in the Netflix animated seriesMasters of the Universe: Revolution. She also appeared inClerks IIIand the Max seriesThe Girls on the Bus. Her other credits includeWhiplash,Patriots Dayand the miniseriesWaco.
Melissa Benoist Really Wants to Play Supergirl Again
Supergirl star Melissa Benoist addresses the chances of wearing the suit once again.
Although Benoist’s run as Supergirl ended, the character lived on with Sasha Calle playing Kara in 2023’sThe Flash, starring with Michael Keaton and Ezra Miller in a story that spanned the multiverse. Its poor reception and box office returns, however, killed plans for her to continue the role.Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) was recently cast as the leadinSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the newest entry in James Gunn’s DCU.Benoist recently addressed the casting, congratulating Alcock and saying that the key to her success is remembering that the expectations of the fans come first.
All six seasons ofSupergirlare streaming on Netflix.
