Meet the Supergirl Squad: A Who’s Who of National City Characters

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Kara Danvers/Supergirl

Played by Melissa Benoist

Kara goes by many names and identities: as Kara Zor-El, she's Superman's Kryptonian cousin; as Kara Danvers, she's the adopted daughter of two scientists and a personal assistant to a powerful publishing mogul; and as Supergirl, she's the extraordinary savior of National City. When suiting up as a superhero, Benoist reveals "it's impossible not to feel strong and brave."

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Cat Grant

Played by Calista Flockhart

Inspired by The Daily Planet’s gossip columnist from the comics, Kara’s hilariously bitchy boss is an “unapologetic and mercurial” media giant now, says Flockhart, who is thrilled to be working again with her former Brothers & Sisters boss. “The writing is great, the part is fun and I am such a huge fan of Greg Berlanti’s that it became a no-brainer at some point.”

Richard Cartwright/CBS

James Olsen

Played by Mehcad Brooks

Don’t call him Jimmy! “He’s coming into his own,” Brooks (True Blood) says of the transplanted Metropolis photographer (now CatCo’s new art director) with a direct line to Superman. “We are revamping him in a couple of different ways, making him a lot more heroic.” And romantic. Look for James to set off sparks with the hero he’s been sent to mentor.

Supergirl - Chyler Leigh, David Harewood

Robert Voets/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Alex Danvers

Played by Chyler Leigh

Much of Supergirl’s heart comes from the bond between Kara and her adoptive sis (a new, non-DC character), which the Grey’s Anatomy alum feels “is honest” in its portrayal of often-fraught family ties. “I think Alex had this innate jealousy, a feeling that whatever she was doing, she had to be better at it.”

Trae Patton/CBS

Winn Schott

Played by Jeremy Jordan

Forget the Phantom Zone. CatCo’s IT hottie is trapped in the friend zone, crushing on bestie Kara way before she comes out of the cape closet. The Smash vet hopes fans will melt for Winn (who shares a name with DC Comics baddie the Toyman) even if Supergirl doesn’t: “He’s the cute nerdy guy you always look at and go ‘awww.’”

Robert Voets/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Hank Henshaw

Played by David Harewood

In the comics, he’s been the crazed Cyborg Superman, but here he’s far more controlled as the hard-line head of the Department of Extra-Normal Operations. “He has a real hatred for aliens,” reveals Harewood (late of Homeland), although National City’s new E.T. could change that. “Supergirl’s arrival is the last thing Hank wants, but her effervescence starts to warm him up.”

Trae Patton/CBS

Lucy Lane

Played by Jenna Dewan-Tatum

If you recognize the surname, it won't be a surprise to learn that Lucy is Lois Lane's older sister. Lucy shares a romantic history with Olsen, and arrives in National City with a personal agenda.