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‘Supergirl’ EPs on Casting Nicole Maines as First Trans Gender Superhero on Television

Supergirl EPs Jessica Queller and Robert Rovner had the chance to talk to some of the press during San Diego Comic Con last week, and everyone was abuzz with the latest news about season 4 of The CW’s Supergirl. Season 4 will include some run-of-the-mill changes, but the huge announcement came when the network announced they had cast the first ever transgender woman to play a superhero on television.

“The very exciting character is Nia Nal. She is going to be the first trans woman superhero ever on television. We’re incredibly excited about that. We also happened to find a real life superhero in Nicole Maines, who has been a trans activist since the age of fourteen. She’s also a phenomenal actress. We did a worldwide talent search for this role so we’re beyond thrilled. It’s very exciting and she’s gonna be a big star.” Queller said.

She also better explained the origins of the new character, and how she is connected to one dreamer you may recognize from Legion.

“Her character, Nia Nal, has some connection to the DC character Dream Girl-Nia’s superhero name (Dreamer). The Legion character (Dream Girl) will be her great great great greater granddaughter in the future and just like Dream Girl, Nia’s superpower is dreaming the future. She’s intuitive and she’s also a cut reporter and we introduce her at CatCo. Kara is going to be her mentor.”

The news dropped during San Diego Comic Con, and Nicole shared her excitement on Twitter shortly thereafter.

They said they were actively searching for trans actress and Jessica Queller touched upon the recent controversy involving Scarlett Johansson. She recently was cast in the film Rub & Tug as a trans massage parlor owner in the 70s and 80s named Dante “Tex” Gill. She quickly removed herself from the role at the first hint of backlash. “We were always we seeking a trans actress. We didn’t know anything about the Scarlett Johansson issues. It took us months to do a talent search.”

Robert added, “It was important to us. The show is about inclusion and being represented, and we wanted a trans person represented on the show by a trans actor.”

Along with Nicole, the EPs shared that they have we also have David Ajala joining the cast as Manchester Black, as well as April Parker Jones as Colonel Haley bringing in the military background and a more stern character.

Supergirl‘s fourth season will premiere on Sunday, October 14th at 8 PM ET on The CW.