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'Supergirl' Arrives from Krypton to Become Earth's Latest Superhero in New CBS Series

Mercy Soriano Monday, May 11, 2015

Melissa Benoist stars as Supergirl in new CBS series. | CBS

A new superhero is taking flight on TV. "Supergirl" has been picked up for CBS' 2015-2016 season. Melissa Benoist, who starred as Marley Rose in the "Glee" TV series, takes on the role of Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin and fellow escapee from the planet Krypton before it got destroyed.

The pilot episode shows Kara Zor-El as she decides to come out of hiding and use her superpowers to become a crime-fighting hero after her mother sent her to Earth to escape the destruction of their home planet, Krypton, Entertainment Weekly reported.

The team behind the series includes executive producers Greg Berlanti ("Arrow," "The Flash"), Sarah Schechter ("The Flash") and Ali Adler ("Chuck"). Berlanti and Adler joined Andrew Kreisberg ("Arrow," "The Flash") to co-write the TV pilot. Glen Winter ("Arrow," "The Flash," and "Smallville") directed the pilot.

The cast includes Calista Flockhart ("Ally McBeal"), who plays Cat Grant, Kara's boss at Catco. Mehcad Brooks ("Desperate Housewives") stars as James "Jimmy" Olsen, formerly a Daily Planet employee, now the art director at CatCo. David Harewood ("Homeland," "Selfie") plays Hank Henshow, the boss of the Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO). Chyler Leigh ("Grey's Anatomy") plays Alexandra "Alex" Danvers, Kara's foster sister. Laura Benanti ("Nashville") plays Alura Zor-El, Kara's mother.

Original Supergirl (from 1984's "Supergirl") Helen Slater and Dean Cain (Clark Kent in "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman") have been cast in mystery roles.

The TV pilot will feature guest stars Owain Yeoman ("The Mentalist") as Vartox, Faran Tahir ("Warehouse 13") as The Commander, and Jeremy Jordan ("Smash") as Winslow "Winn" Schott, aka DC Comics' Toyman.

Berlanti reminded fans that "Supergirl" lives in the same DC Comics universe as "The Flash" and "Arrow," which means crossover episodes between these three shows could happen even if "Supergirl" airs on CBS, while the other two shows air on CW.