I had a great meeting with [executive producers] Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg [in June].
I had been told that the meeting would have something to do withSupergirl, but nothing really specific.
I said, Yeah, absolutely.
Credit: Diyah Pera/The CW
Im obviously a fan.
We had a great talk just about the character and what we found fascinating about him.
I feel like we were on the same page and had similar taste.
Robert Falconer/The CW
I believe that was on a Monday.
On Friday, we got a call with the offer, so it was very quick.
It was very flattering, and I wish every job came about that way.
Bettina Strauss/The CW
Its not always so easy.
Who was the first person you told after you were cast?
My younger brother was actually in the car with me.
Diyah Pera/The CW
We happened to be passing Las Vegas.
What ties did you have Clark Kent growing up?
I grew up with Dean Cain onLois & Clark.
Diyah Pera/The CW
I would watch that with my folks, and that was really my strongest tie.
What comics did you read, or movies did you watch, to prepare for the role?
I read some of theBatman-Supermancomics.
I didnt want to have any temptation to imitate, or really pull from that.
I had a strong sense of what I personally found interesting about Clark, and about Superman.
What was it like putting on the costume for the first time?
That was really the moment that it hit closest to home.
Were there any surprises about putting the suit on?
The first couple of times it definitely took longer to get into.
[Laughs] Its kind of like putting on a wetsuit.
How hard is it to navigate that cape?
The cape takes care of itself.
Its got some good weight to it.
Youre kind of at the mercy of it, so it flows very well with the suit naturally.
When they get the wind machines going, you definitely feel the weight of it.
Its my first time wearing a cape, and its been a fun experience so far.
What can you tell us about this version of Clark Kent?
Its a very hopeful and optimistic show.
This was something that was fun.
Thats just, at the core of it, what it is.
So thats where I think it sits.
It sits in that very hopeful and optimistic place that Kara tends to be in, in the show.
Tell us about Kara and Clarks dynamic.
How do they relate to each other being among the last of their kind?
Its obviously a strong bond how they are the only family, really, that they have left.
Thats the dynamic with their relationship.
Theres an understanding there that they just know no one else has.
Thats really the strongest thing that holds them together.
At Comic-Con, we heard they were going to butt heads a little bit.
Can you expand on why?
What has it been like working with Melissa?
Shes just the sweetest person.
They just have the biggest smiles on their faces, and shes so great with them.
Shes an incredibly talented actor.
Shes such a great actor, so its been an absolute blast to work with her.
We know that Clark and James Olsen are friends.
Mehcad and I have had a blast.
Weve been having a ton of fun in Vancouver.
We had a great time at Comic-Con.
Hes such a good guy.
Weve really, really hit it off, so its been a lot of fun working with him.
It obviously helps when youre working, so on set its been very easy.
It felt very familiar from the beginning.
Its obviously an incredibly important relationship for Clark.
Its hard to say what they want to do.
It enhances just their daily lives as well as what theyre trying to accomplish.
What Superman villains may we see, or do you hope to see, on the show?
What was it like getting to work with Lynda Carter on set?
I didnt get to work with Lynda.
I can only imagine what it mustve been like on set.
Carters character, the President of the United States, plans to pass an alien amnesty act.
So I would imagine that itd be something that he would be excited about.
Yeah, thatd be great.
Ive heard nothing but great things about Dean, so well see if and when that pops up.
Turning to the logistical stuff, how difficult is it to actually fly?
You know, its difficult.
I wouldnt use the word difficult, I would use the word painful after hour seven or eight.
Its a harness thats not necessarily the most comfortable thing to wear.
If he ever heard me complain about that, I would probably be disowned, rightfully so.
Any mishaps while youve been up in the rig?
No falling upside down.
None of that yet, so Ive spared myself embarrassment for the moment.
So far Im one for one, so well see if Day 2 brings any problems.
How has being cast as Superman changed your daily life?
Is there more dieting and working out?
Definitely changed the workout routine and the diet routine.
I will say endless amounts of Chinese food with fried rice.
Boneless wings have been incredible.
Pizza, definitely a lot of pizza.
Those have been the ones where I dont go crazy with them, now its whenever wherever.
If its there, Im good to have a little bit, so thats always been my favorite.
Thats been one of my favorite parts of this so far, so Im enjoying it while I can.
Thats something I hadnt experienced before and it was great.
Had you watchedSupergirlwhen it was on CBS, or is it something you binged once you were cast?
I definitely went back and binged once all of the meetings started coming up.
I obviously wanted to get a sense of the show and the tone.
I got really caught up once this whole process started.
Whats been your dynamic with the rest of the cast?
Just the start at Comic-Con was an absolute blast.
It was my sixth Comic-Con, which is crazy to even think.
But Ive had such a great time down there with my other cast in the past.
I was unsure exactly what the group dynamic was.
I hadnt met most of them by then, and we just had an absolute ball.
Everyone was so great to be around, theyre incredibly funny people, so we had a great time.
Im sure, at some point, we will find some crazy thing to do up there.
We sawthe photoof Stephen Amell paying you a visit on set.
Have you gotten any tips from the other superhero actors?
Theyve been a very, very warm and welcoming group.
Its been a long time since Ive had that feeling, probably since college.
Has there been anyone whos given you any advice on playing Superman?
I know Dean had said something in an interview about getting in the gym.
Its just been a lot of fun to take the reins and run with it.
You played a werewolf onTeen Wolffor four seasons and now youre playing a superhero.
What is it about the supernatural that youre drawn to?
Do you ever yearn to play a powerless laymen?
[Laughs] Oh my God, yeah.
I mean, [with]Everybody Wants Some!
I dont think that its the genre necessarily that draws me to them.
I would never say that thats the reason why Ive come to any of them.
It was the same thing withTeen Wolf.
I never once really categorized that character as a werewolf.
It just was a part of him.
If they happen to fall in this genre then thats great.
If you had to choose, at the end of the day, who is your favorite Superman?
I just have to go with Chris Reeve.
I think you have to.
He was so spot on with it.
I feel like I would have to doubt myself if I went with anybody else.
What does it mean to you to suit up?
Its very flattering to have even been considered for it.
Its a once in a lifetime experience and I take the responsibility of it very seriously.
To be able to do that is just a whole next level thing.
You know, I dont know.
Any chance of your Superman getting his own show?
Like I said, those are decisions of people in a much different place than I. Im just very excited for what the situation is at the moment.
Supergirlreturns Monday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
ET on The CW.
