Following NBC's move last Friday with three new series pickups, CBS today officially ordered its first new title for the upcoming 2015-16 season - drama Supergirl starring Melissa Benoist.
Based on characters from DC Comics, Supergirl centers on Kara Zor-El (Benoist). Born on the planet Krypton, Kara escaped amid its destruction years ago. Since arriving on Earth, she's been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman. But now at age 24, she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be.
The drama also stars Calista Flockhart, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh and David Harewood, with Laura Benanti, Helen Slater, Dean Cain, Jeremy Jordan, Malina Weissman and Owain Yeoman appearing as guest stars in the pilot.
Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler and Andrew Kreisberg wrote the pilot, which was directed by Glen Winter. Geoff Johns and Sarah Schechter also serve as executive producers. Warner Bros. Television and Berlanti Productions produce.
CBS originally landed the Supergirl pitch back in September 2014 with a big series commitment, meaning it was always likely to land on the network's upcoming schedule but wasn't a complete certainty. Fortunately, the pilot tested well for all involved at the network.
The Supergirl pickup is also big news for Berlanti, one of the busiest producers in TV right now. The new drama will join his veteran dramas Arrow and The Flash at The CW and new series Blindspot at NBC next season. Additionally, he still has The Mysteries of Laura in second season renewal contention at NBC as well as a prospective Arrow-Flash spinoff set up at The CW.
