The long anticipated wait for The CW’s latest super installment is finally over. On Feb. 23, 2021, “Superman and Lois” premiered with a two-hour long special. This new series is an historic first for DC Comics’ most iconic couple as it explores the duo’s relationship with their two teenage sons.
“Superman and Lois” first received an official green light for series production over a year ago near the dawn of the worldwide pandemic. The CW awarded the new show, along with the “Walker Texas Ranger” reboot (starring “Supernatural’s” Jared Padalecki), directly to series in mid January 2020.
Soon after, anticipation surrounding the soon to be super hero epic leaped tall building’s in a single bound. This modern day original separates itself from past Superman titles by remaining grounded. It brings the focus to family and everyday life. Even Superman struggles with daily situations.
For the first time in almost a decade, DC Comics’ original power couple graced our small screens with their own series once again. Starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as the legendary Lois and Clark, the newest installment to The CW’s superhero franchise is the first Superman-themed program celebrating what happens after the pair’s happily ever after.
There’s no rudimentary origin story for Superman’s heroics (though fun flashbacks do provide reminders) or the Man of Steel’s relationship with the Daily Planet’s ace newshound, Lois Lane. All of that backstory has already been established. In this significantly original “Superman and Lois” series, fans will get to see the two as parents in a modern day world with troubled, rebellious teens.
DC Comics’ latest epic is centered around family, something Superman comics have been focused on for decades. Production quality was excessively high, considering that this is a show established by The CW. In “Superman and Lois,” Metropolis’ dynamic reporting duo struggle with parenting as their two twin sons, one aspiring to be a football star and one struggling with mental health, face the possibility of inheriting their fathers Kryptonian abilities.
The series’ first two episodes express a strong start for the newest chapter in the Superman Saga. In the two inaugural episodes we are reacquainted with Tyler’s Clark Kent / Superman and Elizabeth’s Lois Lane. Their palpable chemistry first experienced during the 2018 “Elseworld’s” and 2019 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” annual CW Crossovers translates well into this new series.
Hoechlin’s Clark Kent and Superman channels energy from past interpretations that leaves viewers reminiscent of legacy actor Christopher Reeve’s Man of Steel and Tom Welling’s Clark Kent, separating himself apart from current DCEU actor Henry Cavill. Tulloch’s Lois harnesses the same strength of the late great Margot Kidder and previous The CW “Smallville” actress Erica Durance’s Lane while bringing her own phenomenal fire to the character. In many ways, she’s the most comic accurate interpretation to date.
Lois and Clark’s super twin sons also played their roles to perfection. Jordan Elsass, who is the first actor in history to play Superboy character Jon Kent, is a convincing jock type completely opposite his brother.
Alex Garfin, who plays original character Jordan Kent, is surprisingly empathetic and complex. His story starts out convoluted and you can’t help but sympathize. Both boys are extraordinary in their respective roles and I hope to see more development from them both.
Standing separate from Superman stories gone by, including The CW’s decade long “Smallville” and ABC’s “Lois and Clark,” “Superman and Lois” feels less like a reboot and more like a stand alone miniseries. “Superman and Lois” is set in the same universe as other leading The CW superhero shows like “Supergirl,” “The Flash,” “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Black Lightning,” but brings an entire new ray of light to the universe.
Overall, the premiere brought superhero television to an entire new level. It feels less like a reboot and more like a continuation and for that, I give this pilot the below star rating.
Tyler Hoechlin as Superman
Tyler Hoechlin has been playing Superman for nearly half a decade. Hoechlin’s interpretation of the Man of Steel first appeared during the season premiere of “Supergirl’s” season two in 2016. Since then, Hoechlin’s Superman has made numerous guest appearances on his cousin’s show and guest starred on a slew of The CW’s annual crossovers. Tyler is best known for his work in “Road to Perdition,” “Everybody Wants Some!!” and “Teen Wolf.” Zack Snyder once considered Hoechlin for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but Hoechlin lost out to Ben Affleck. Interestingly enough, Tyler’s real life prom date was Katie Cassidy, who plays Dinah Laurel Lance/Black Canary/Black Siren in both “Arrow” and “The Flash,” along with other CW series.
Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane
Elizabeth Tulloch takes her role as Lois Lane very seriously. When “Elseworlds” was filming, Tulloch took to social media and learned that Lois has a pension for purple. In response to this, Tulloch requested that Lois must wear purple at sometime during the crossover — and she did. Lois Lane appeared in a purple knit sweater when she and Clark announced their pregnancy to Kara. Tulloch took to Twitter again late last year asking for the same insight, which was utilized for Lois’s wardrobe in the series. Tulloch was cast as the spectacular Lois Lane in Sept. 2018 and has since reprised the role for two annual crossovers, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” and “Elseworlds.” According to IMDb, “Bitsie” is not a contraction of Elizabeth, but a homage to her oddly-nicknamed grandfather, a World War II and Korean War bomber pilot. Tulloch was born in San Diego, California, but grew up in Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina. Bitsie attended Harvard University and graduated with a double-major in Literature and Fine Arts. The actress is known for her work on “Grimm,” “The Artist” and more. Tulloch’s first acting credit was as R2-D2’s “girlfriend” in “R2-D2: Beneath the Dome,” a mockumentary produced by George Lucas telling the life story of the fictional robot R2-D2 from the Star Wars film series.
Jordan Elsass as Jon Kent
Jordan Elsass, who was cast to play Jon Kent for “Superman and Lois” in January 2020, also stars in the Hulu series “Little Fires Everywhere.” Elsass is an American based actor and currently resides in Austin, Texas. Jon Kent has made numerous appearances in the pages of DC Comics as the latest version of Superboy, recently forging his own legacy.
Alex Garfin as Jordan Kent
Alexander Garfin, who plays original character Jordan Kent, has been acting since he was three. Garfin is best known for playing Linus in 2015’s “The Peanuts Movie,” but has made guest appearances on shows like “Law & Order: SVU.” Alex did a Purell commercial with Supergirl star, Malina Weissman, who portrayed a young Kara suring season one’s run.
After years of facing supervillains, monsters and alien invaders, the world’s most famous superhero, the Man of Steel aka Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and comic books’ famed journalist Lois Lane (Elizabeth “Bitsie” Tulloch) come face to face with one of their greatest challenges ever –– dealing with being working parents in today’s society.
Complicating the already daunting job of raising two boys, Clark and Lois worry about whether their sons, Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alex Garfin), could inherit their father’s Kryptonian superpowers as they grow older. Returning to Smallville to handle some Kent family business, Clark and Lois are reacquainted with Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) and her Fire Chief husband, Kyle Cushing (Erik Valdez). The adults aren’t the only ones rediscovering old friendships in Smallville as the Kent sons are reacquainted with Lana and Kyle’s rebellious daughter, Sarah (Inde Navarrette). Of course, there’s never a dull moment in the life of a superhero, especially with Lois’ father, Gen. Samuel Lane (Dylan Walsh) looking for Superman to vanquish a villain or save the day at a moment’s notice.
“Superman and Lois” will be produced by Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter with Todd Helbing executive producing. Gregory Smith from Everwood will be Supervising Producer/Director.
