With the recent success of Arrow and the upcoming premieres of The Flash, Gotham, and Constantine, it really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that DC Comics would want to continue their dominance of the television landscape with another superhero series. That’s why the news that came out yesterday about a new potential Supergirl TV series, from the awesome team of Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash) and Ali Adler (No Ordinary Family, Chuck), wasn’t so much shocking but certainly exciting. While the project is still reportedly being shopped around to multiple networks, with no definitive home yet, I got to thinking about casting and which actresses out there today would be perfect for the role of Clark Kent’s Kryptonian cousin, Kara Zor-El, and came up with a few top choices. Here are five actresses that would be great as Supergirl.
Photo via DC Comics
Britt Robertson
One of the more talented young TV actresses out there today, Britt Robertson has yet to find a project that has launched her into stardom, and I think landing the leading role in the new Supergirl series would do just that. In Life Unexpected, Robertson showed that she has the emotional range to provide Kara with that lost, displaced “outsider” feel that Tom Welling perfected on Smallville, and she also showed that she can be strong and intimidating (very much like Kara) during the one and only season of The Secret Circle. Plus, she was killed off on Under the Dome this summer, which means that she should be available to take the role, unlike some of the other choices I have on this list.
Photo via The CW
Emily VanCamp
One of the more underrated actresses out there today is Emily VanCamp. Because she stars in a soapy ABC drama, which does go a little over-the-top each episode, the 28-year-old actress’ talents aren’t as recognized and instead written off by some as campy or melodramatic. However, if it weren’t VanCamp, none of Revenge would work, because even in the show’s most outlandish or outrageous scenes, she provides the emotional center, always somehow showing viewers the heart and compassion of Amanda Clarke behind the stone-cold exterior of Emily Thorne. Personally, I think Revenge should finish up its series run after this upcoming fourth season and end on somewhat of a high note, allowing VanCamp to re-team with Everwood creator Greg Berlanti in the new Supergirl series. The only possible issue that could hold VanCamp back besides Revenge going on past season four is if she has a signed contract with Marvel, which she may have after appearing in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Photo via AB
Candice Accola
Caroline Forbes is easily one of the best characters on The Vampire Diaries, and Candice Accola absolutely gives it her all in each and every episode of the The CW’s vampire drama. However, as great as Accola is in the supporting role of Caroline, I think she deserves a chance to break out in a leading role, which is what this new Supergirl series could provide for her. We already know that she has the dramatic acting chops and the physicality to pull off this role (and if you don’t believe me, go watch any episode from season two on of The Vampire Diaries and be amazed by how great Accola is). The big question is if she would be able to and willing to leave The Vampire Diaries for the part if she was ever offered it.
Photo via The CW
Claire Holt
It’s easy to put yet another actress from The Vampire Diaries on this list, because all of them are just so darn good. Claire Holt first appeared as Rebekah in season three of The Vampire Diaries and pretty much stole every scene she was in. The Australian actress provided fierceness, humor, and heartbreak with her performance whenever she showed up on The CW series, landing her a starring role in The Vampire Diaries spinoff, The Originals, for much of its first season. No longer tied to her leading role on The Originals but currently filming a new series, Aquarius, for NBC, it’s unclear whether Holt would actually be available for the role of Supergirl. One thing is certain though: even if she can’t do an American accent, I personally would have no problem with Kara sounding like she’s from “down under.”
Photo via The CW
Laura Vandervoort
This list wouldn’t be complete without Laura Vandervoort, who perfectly captured everything that’s great about Supergirl when she appeared as Kara in the later seasons of Smallville. Vandervoort not only had the physical presence that Kara possesses but, more importantly, always showcased the character’s compassion and kindness to others, even as she adjusted to the “normal” human ways of life with Clark as her instructor. The heart and honesty that Vandervoort brought to her performance on Smallville is why so many fans are clamoring for her to land the role in the Supergirl series. Even though the Canadian actress currently stars in the Syfy series Bitten and admitted on Twitter yesterday that she has no involvement as of right now with the new Supergirl show, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that, out of all the great actresses on this list, she’s my number one choice.
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I think these people are all too old. I’m gonna guess they will probably go with an unknown 18 year old that looks 15.
Good point. That’s very true. It all depends on what age they want Kara to be for the show (teens, college age, mid-20s, etc.). Interestingly though, Tom Welling was 23/24 when he was cast on Smallvile to play a 14/15 year old. It’s all about what they want the look and feel of the show to be.
Sadly, for Vandervoort, she runs into the same issue that kept Welling from being considered as the new Superman, Hartley from being considered for ‘Arrow,’ and Rosenbaum given a serious shot at playing Lex in ‘Batman v Superman,’ which he was moderately campaigning for: baggage. They’re already too associated with the role and a particular take on it to reasonably be in the running.
Exactly. As much as I would love to see her continue with the role (never thought she got enough screen time or a significant storyline on Smallville–showrunners didn’t know how to utilize her), there’s essentially 0% chance of it happening. Hopefully, another actress as talented as her can swoop in and blow us all away, though!