Actor/model Mehcad Brooks will be leaving the cast of CW’s Supergirl.  His character is James Olsen, tied the show to the larger DC universe, by playing Superman’s long-term friend and sidekick from The Daily Planet. Brooks wishes to pursue other career opportunities, including films and a cable series, as well as possibly a book.  The producers do not plan to kill off his character, and look forward to Brooks returning in guest shots.

Jeremy Jordan, on the other hand, is returning. He played Supergirl’s geeky friend Winn Schott, and will be coming back sometime during the fifth season. Since leaving the show, Jordan has been appearing on Broadway in American Son and Waitress. Supergirl returns Sunday, Oct. 6 at 9/8c, following the series premiere of Batwoman, which will star Ruby Rose.

John Cryer will return as Lex Luthor, which will be an interesting note, since that character died. Exactly how this return will be accomplished is anybody’s guess at the moment.

Julie Gonzalo (Veronica Mars) has joined the cast as Andrea Rojas, also known as the hero Acrata, a character first introduced to Superman comics in 2000. Gonzalo’s character is described as “a polished businesswoman and heir to a Central American tech empire [who is] now making a hostile advance into the world of media. Unapologetic and unafraid to make waves, she also holds a mystical secret.” Rojas will become the head of CatCo this season.

Staz Nair (Game of Thrones) has been cast as William Dey, “a hardened reporter” who’s “a cynic and a sellout who looks down on Kara’s earnest idealism. Dey’s not interested in making friends, he just wants to get the story — but his ties to the criminal underworld could prove problematic.”

And lastly, Andrea Brooks,  who has played  Eve Teschmacher as a recurring guest star since 2016,  has been promoted to a series regular.

The new season of Supergirl premieres October 6 at a new time, sharing Sundays with the new Batwoman series.

Supergirl Gets Pants

While the little red miniskirt may be canon, the practicality of a girl flying around in one while trying to fight crime has always been dubious – and more than a little chilly. In Season 5 of Supergirl, Melissa Benoist gets a costume update that includes a full body suit. Visually, it’s a blend of the look created for Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman suit, complete with the shoulder clasps for the cape, and the costume Supergirl has been wearing since Season 1. The result is something a little less arbitrarily sexy, a little more integrated and powerful in its visual line, and a whole lot easier to work in.

You know what? There were some logistics that needed to be addressed. I won’t mention the chafing, but it’s cold in Vancouver! You know, I was a little tired of having my bare legs exposed to the snow and the wind. But more than that, I also just think it’s the perfect evolution for her. It just felt like time.

MELISSA BENOIST, AT THE SUPERGIRL PANEL AT 2019 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON.

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