CBS’s Supergirl has cast its young Kara Zor-El.
Malina Weissman, whose only credit is 2014’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as young April O’Neil, will play the young counterpart to Melissa Benoist’s adult Kara.
Weissman will guest star in the pilot, indicating that we will see at least some flashbacks to Kara’s childhood. There is no indication of whether we will see future flashbacks or if this is a one-time appearance.
It’s worth noting, though, that Arrow and The Flash, which Supergirl executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg also work on, spend significant time on flasbacks, so additional looks at Kara’s childhood would not be surprising.
Related: Supergirl photo: Melissa Benoist suits up
Supergirl, which began production last week, follows the story of Kara Zor-El. “Born on the planet Krypton, Kara Zor-El escaped amid its destruction years ago,” the series synopsis reads. “Since arriving on Earth, she’s been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman.
“Now 24, Kara feels un-empowered, a slave to having repressed her innate abilities. She’s still pretty, but with her face hidden behind glasses and her hair pulled back, she doesn’t know it herself. An unexpected disaster forces her to use her powers in public. Energized by her heroic deed, for the first time in her life, Kara begins embracing her extraordinary abilities. She begins helping the people of her city and they soon take notice — and she’s even given a new moniker: Supergirl.”
Weissman joins a cast that includes Benoist, Mehcad Brooks (Jimmy Olsen), Laura Benanti (Alura Zor-El), Calista Flockhard (Cat Grant), Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers), David Harewood (Hank Henshaw), Dean Cain, Helen Slater, Jeremy Jordan (Winslow “Winn” Schott), and Faran Tahir (The Commander).
CBS has already given Supergirl a series commitment.