“Nashville” actress Laura Benanti has joined CBS’ “Supergirl” pilot to play the titular heroine’s mom, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television superhero project told TheWrap on Friday.
Her character, Alura Zor-El, is the birth mother of Kara (Melissa Benoist), aka Supergirl. She’s described as a strong noblewoman who ships her daughter off to Earth as Krypton is on the brink of destruction. In the DC Comics lore, Kara is orphaned as her home planet meets its doom, but Benanti’s role is said to be recurring.
In addition to her recent run as Sadie Stone on ABC’s country music drama “Nashville,” Benanti is known for runs on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” USA’s “Royal Pains” and starring opposite Matt Perry and Tyler James Williams on NBC’s “Go On.” She also played Elsa Schrader on NBC’s live 2013 version of “The Sound of Music.”
CAA, Brookside Artist Management represent her.
From writers-executive producers Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler, “Supergirl” centers around Kara Zor-El (Benoist), cousin to Superman. She had hidden her superhuman abilities from the world while growing up, but she finally embraces her powers as an adult and becomes a superhero. Mechad Brooks has also been cast on the pilot to play Jimmy Olsen.
Deadline first reported the Benanti casting.