David Harewood Didn’t Like Cyborg Superman on “Supergirl”

During his Q&A panel at the Supanova convention in Sydney, Australia late last month, “Supergirl” actor David Harewood admitted that he didn’t like playing Cyborg Superman, criticizing how the character was written and portrayed visually.

“I don’t like playing Cyborg Superman,” Harewood said. “It’s boring. They didn’t really flesh it out, they didn’t really write for the character. They just gave me this rather cheap-looking mask and no costume, and said ‘Okay, you’re Cyborg Superman.’ But it didn’t really pan out – they didn’t really go into why he was a cyborg, how he became a cyborg, what his powers were… it was just kind of randomly calling him ‘Cyborg Superman.’ I was very excited about it at first, but then I very quickly realized that there wasn’t really much to it so, it’s kind of boring. Whenever I’m walking to my trailer and I see that costume, I just switch off. Because I know it’s going to be a really boring day.”

Harewood will return for Season 3 of “Supergirl”, which will premiere on The CW on Monday, October 9 at 8.00pm.

Supergirl — “Resist” — SPG221a_0469.jpg — Pictured: David Harewood as Cyborg Superman — Photo: Robert Falconer/The CW — © 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
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DaveK
DaveK
July 2, 2017 8:32 pm

Dear Mr. Harewood, You seem to be under the impression that the CW and the creators of the show actually care about the source material and it’s characters. I believe you are mistaken here because the CW, as we know, are more interested in high school teenagers who would gladly see character development sacrificed for the sake of their favorite pairing. Romantic drama is the CW’s bread and butter after all. One only need to look at Arrow and see how catering to Olicity shippers has NOT done that once great show any favors. The protagonist of what I think… Read more »

Man-O-Steal
Man-O-Steal
July 2, 2017 10:44 pm

Every time the character appears and says, “I am Cyborg Superman” I switch off too. And by that I mean I switch the TV off or turn to another channel. It’s nonsense and I’m glad the actor realizes that too.

DaveK
DaveK
July 2, 2017 10:57 pm
Reply to  Man-O-Steal

I confess that I fell off season 2 at about episode 4, but if a character has to repeatedly remind you who they are, that’s bad writing.

RobertAnthony
RobertAnthony
July 3, 2017 6:31 pm
Reply to  Man-O-Steal

I do apprecaite David’s honesty about the mess that is Cyborg Superman…I can only hope he doesn’t suffer any repurcussions for it.

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 3, 2017 12:47 am

First it’s Johns and Berg saying the films are too dark. Not that I’m advocating the tone of the films. And now it’s Harewood complaining about the Cyborg Superman. Not that I’m advocating the way the character is portrayed, but I would think that DCEU,CW,and actors would appreciate the opportunity of working on DC comic characters on both small and big screen. I’m just seeing a lot of negativity. How about some positive remarks like ” Hey Wonder Woman is a success. Maybe Justice league will be just as or more successful.” Or, “Hey Supergirl win two Saturn awards. Maybe… Read more »

Adekis
Adekis
July 5, 2017 1:07 am
Reply to  spidey2878

Hey, Wonder Woman IS a success! Maybe Justice League WILL be just as or more popular! That’s a very happy thought.

EDIT: Either way I’m mostly just excited to see Aquaman on the big screen.

DrK
DrK
July 3, 2017 12:18 pm

The show is a real disappointment and disservice. This super girl, who is likable as a person, doesn’t seem at all like Supergirl. And the writing is simply awful. Characters don’t make sense, drama is dumb, action is silly, and the Superman is the worst. Where’d that weird cape come from? Oh well. Tuned it out. And yes, Cyborg Superman is the epitome of what is wrong with the show. Wish they’d just stop, as it is clear they can’t fix what’s wrong with it.

DaveK
DaveK
July 3, 2017 12:43 pm
Reply to  DrK

This Supergirl is basically a gender swapped Clark. Kara even took Clark’s job this season by becoming a reporter.

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 3, 2017 3:24 pm

I just think it’s a bad idea to be picky about the job while still employed.

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 4, 2017 2:01 am

-1? Hmm, maybe I should explain myself better. What I meant was in any working environment it’s really not a good idea to complain about the work that is given, unless that individual is planning on leaving for a different job. I believe that it’s not a problem for viewers of the show to say the things Mr. Harewood said on the show because they are the viewer and not the actor. However, I do agree that the cyborg Superman was not used to the best that he could’ve been used. Lack of character development made him into a somewhat… Read more »

Sven-El
Sven-El
July 4, 2017 7:27 pm
Reply to  spidey2878

He wasn’t complaining. He was asked an honest question, and he gave an honest answer. People hate watching interviews with actors and actresses where they are clearly kissing up and saying “oh, everything is great, no problems at all.” Watch the video and listen to the rest of his answers. He clearly loves the cast and the project, and enjoys playing J’onn. He just felt that Cyborg Superman was boring. To add to it, he has to play two difference characters, J’onn J’onzz, and the Cyborg Superman not one person with two identities like Kara/Supergirl. Then you have one character,… Read more »

Adekis
Adekis
July 5, 2017 1:06 am

Well when you’re on a show and you play a poorly executed version of Hank Henshaw and a really really cool version of J’onn J’onzz, Hank starts to look pretty bad in comparison one way or the other.

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 5, 2017 1:47 am

I did watch the video and he said ” I don’t like playing cyborg superman. It’s boring.” To say ” I don’t like” something implies a complaint. Like I don’t like spicey food because it’s to hot to taste. Or I don’t like pistachio flavored ice cream.Now he may not have thought of phrasing it in a negative manner. Perhaps if he were to say playing cyborg superman was more challenging rather than “I don’t like playing him” then there would be no question if he were complaining or not. I never said anything about if he gets along with… Read more »

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 5, 2017 10:07 am

Can we agree to disagree? I think that’s a good idea right?

redcape
redcape
July 6, 2017 1:09 pm

Absolutely one of the lamest characters on the show. And he’s right. Stupid looking Halloween robot mask is about as cheap as you can get. Every time that character shows up I almost have to look away. They need to retire that role. I almost expect to see a rubber band around his head holding laughable mask in place.

spidey2878
spidey2878
July 6, 2017 6:19 pm

You have have a good point on his headgear redcape. In fact I remember seeing a Halloween mask at a party city store a few years back. And it was held by a rubber band.