Superman Homepage

2015 TV News Archives

July 2, 2015: Melissa Benoist Talks About Landing the Role of Supergirl

As part of their Comic-Con preview, EW.com has published an interview with Melissa Benoist to find out all about her feelings on playing Supergirl, what the auditioning process was like, and what research she's done for her new TV role. Here's part of the interview...

How did you feel when you first landed the role of Supergirl?

When I learned that I got the part there were a mixture of many emotions that rushed through me - elation, relief, immense joy and then, there was also a huge sense of responsibility that came immediately. I definitely thought to myself, "Oh man, you've got your work cut out for you."

Were you a big comic book fan growing up or have you had to play catch up now that you have this role?

Strangely, I was a DC fan, not so much the comics. I loved Michael Keaton's Batman. I grew up with those movies. One of my closest friends is a huge comic book reader and has been since he was very, very little. He really turned me onto them in college - more graphic novels than comic books. I have had to play some catch up specifically with the Supergirl books. I've been reading the New 52 series and more of the newly published Supergirl comics.

How did you feel the first time you put on the Supergirl costume?

The first time I put the costume on, it was a mixture of a lot of emotions. It's impossible not to feel empowered when you put it on. You would think, "Oh, it's silly. I'm putting on tights. I'm putting on a leotard and a skirt. There's muscles built into the suit. There's a cape. I'm going to feel like it's Halloween." But something changes internally. I feel like a different person almost. It really is an alter ego, where I feel inspired, hopeful and empowered. I tried the suit for the first time on at the costume designer's house. I had just had an injury to my eye, so I had an eye patch on. [Laughs] So simultaneously, I'm feeling all these feelings of empowerment and positivity and femininity and strength, and I have this pirate patch on essentially. It was a little goofy. There was two things going on at once - two opposing factors of trying the suit on.

Read the complete interview at EW.com

"Supergirl" premieres Monday, October 26 at 8:30pm ET on CBS.