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New DC series on Superman premieres to rave reviews, renewed for Season 2
Every generation has its own Superman and Lois Lane. Each one has the same origins we already know: Kryptonian parents sends him hurtling through space in that tiny space pod, he crashes into that farm in Smallville, Kansas and grows up as Clark Kent.
He dates Lana Lang in high school and eventually meets and falls in love with his fellow journalist on The Daily Planet.
What makes every version unique is the time and context within which it was created — in this case, the brand-new DC series “Superman & Lois” is definitely unlike any origin story. After years of facing megalomaniacal supervillains and alien invaders, Lois and Clark face one of their biggest challenges yet: parenthood.
"Superman & Lois" is a spin-off of the characters played by Elizabeth Tulloch and Tyler Hoechlin on “Supergirl,” “The Flash,” and “Arrow,” collectively known as The Arrowerse.
In “Superman & Lois,” Clark returns to Smallville with Lois as they raise their two teenaged sons, twins Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alexander Garfin).
Jonathan is good-natured, charismatic, and a promising football player in his school. Jordan is sensitive, brooding, and goes to therapy for his social anxiety disorder. The twins and their mom have lived in Metropolis all their lives, and the drastic move from big city to small farm town will take some getting used to.
Clark won’t have an easy time either, reconnecting with old friends like bank employee Lana Lang (Emmanelle Chriqui), her fire chief husband Kyle Cushing (Erik Valdez), and their rebellious teen daughter Sarah (Inde Navarrette), at time when even Smallville is going through some transformations.
As the Kents adjust to all these, Superman and Lois have to navigate their responsibilities to the world, to their careers, and to each other—all while raising two adolescent boys who may or may not have inherited their dad's Kryptonian powers.
“Something that was important to us was that this did set itself apart from other versions of the story that had been told before,” Hoechlin says of his role as Clark Kent.
“As much as it’s not an origin story for him, we’re kind of an origin story for his children. And what is his responsibility there? To guide them in their own quest now.”
For Tulloch, portraying Lois Lane’s roles as career woman, wife, and mother comes with a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. “When she was introduced in 1938, women were often portrayed as meek or demure. She has always been driven and uncompromising and dogged in her pursuit of truth and justice,” she says.
Especially in 2021 when the career of journalism has been under siege for so long, I try to portray that with a lot of respect and importance.”
In this series, the actors add, they won’t be playing the near-perfect versions of Superman and Lois. “We’re seeing them mess up. It’s a very confusing time in anyone’s life being a hormonal teenager,” says Tulloch. “So you’re seeing these characters as parents that are fallible. I find that a lot more interesting, because it’s relatable.”
The series may be more grounded in the realities we see today, and set in idyllic Smallville rather than bustling Metropolis, but “Superman & Lois” promises to be as action-packed as its many predecessors. Fans may spot a DC Easter Egg or two, along with familiar allies like Clark’s father-in-law Gen. Samuel Lane (Dylan Walsh) and nemeses like Lex Luthor (Wolé Parks) and Morgan Edge (Adam Rayner).
Looks like a scene straight out of a comic book, doesn’t it? No filter- just gorgeous lighting. Wanted to give a shout-out to our brilliant DP Gavin Struthers (Downton Abbey, The Witcher) who did 1&2.Thank you Gavin for establishing the look of @cwsupermanlois so beautifully. pic.twitter.com/3oZq3mwDDg
— Elizabeth Tulloch (@BitsieTulloch) March 1, 2021
The actors share that production was actually supposed to start in March 2020, just when a real-life monster in the form of COVID-19 began to rear its ugly head. It wasn’t until October that they were able to resume, but Tulloch says they can’t complain.
“Everything takes a lot longer, it's harder to bond with each other when everybody has to stay six feet apart and is masked up, but we are so tremendously grateful to be working at all,” she says.
“A lot of people have lost work over the last year because of the pandemic, the fact that we even go to set and work at all is inspiring. I think the entertainment industry has really led the way as far as set safety, they're doing their best.”
“Superman & Lois” premiered worldwide last week, and even before its second episode, the latest Arrowverse series has already been greenlit for a season renewal. It performed well on both TV and streaming platforms.
The success of yet another adaptation seems indicative that there is never a time when the world doesn’t need Superman, but more so now. “He stands for hope. I love his eternal optimism,” Hoechlin says. “Being aware of the things that are out there that are awful and terrible, and it's not that we turn a blind eye, but in spite of those things, remain hopeful that we will get to a better tomorrow.” •
“Superman & Lois” airs new episodes locally every Wednesday at 9:50 p.m. on Warner TV, same day as the US airing on The CW. — LA, GMA News
