The remake of the ’80s superhero cult classic series, The Greatest American Hero, has found its lead in New Girl’s Hannah Simone.
There certainly isn’t a shortage of superhero shows on television these days. However, with the exception of The CW’s newest show Black Lightning, most of these shows are led by a white lead. The original The Greatest American Hero series was no exception.
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However, the brains behind this series reboot, Rachna Fruchbom and Nahnatchka Khan (Fresh Off the Boat), are rebooting the series with a bit of a twist. Instead of Ralph Finkley (played by William Katt), the series will now follow Meera, an Indian-American woman.
The basic premise of the show follows Meera (Hannah Simone), a young woman who is a bit lost. She loves karaoke and tequila and has been spending her days searching for meaning. One day, she’s entrusted with a super suit that allows her the capability to protect the planet from evil. Meera might finally have a purpose, but only time will tell if she is truly the right woman for the job.
This is a huge step forward for representation in the superhero genre. Deadline is reporting that Simone might be the first woman of color to play the lead in a superhero film. Even if that turns out to not be the case, she’s going to be a great role model for Indian-American girls.
West Asian individuals haven’t gotten a great deal of representation in modern television shows, so it will be so great to see a show that doesn’t just follow an Indian-American family, but also makes one a bonafide (albeit a little green) hero. Plus, with Fruchbom and Khan at the helm, you know this show is going to be as hilarious as it is groundbreaking.
We can’t wait to see what is coming in The Greatest American Hero, and we can’t wait to see Hannah Simone kicking ass and taking names to save the planet!