Jimmy Olsen Cast in CBS’ ‘Supergirl’ Pilot

CBS’ Supergirl adaptation has found its Jimmy Olsen.

Necessary Roughness alum Mehcad Brooks has been tapped to co-star opposite Glee‘s Melissa Benoist in the DC Comics take, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The hourlong drama, which received a hefty series commitment, centers on Kara Zor-El (Benoist), Superman’s cousin, who was born on the planet Krypton and escaped amid its destruction years ago. Benoist will play Kara, who after arriving on Earth was taken in by a foster family, the Danvers, who taught her to be careful with her extraordinary powers (which she shares with her famous cousin, Superman).

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Now 24, Kara feels disempowered, 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. But 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. She’s even given a new moniker: Supergirl.

Olsen, in the CBS take, is a photographer at CatCo.,?where Kara works. He’s the ?salt of the earth and this only makes Kara crush on him even more. The character has recently been living and working in National City, though the reason is still a secret. But with Kara emerging as Supergirl they grow closer.

Arrow and Flash’s Greg Berlanti and his No Ordinary Family cohort Ali Adler (The New Normal) will pen the script and executive produce the drama via Berlanti Productions’ Warner Bros. Television-based banner. Berlanti Productions’ topper Sarah Schechter is also on board to executive produce.

Brooks’ credits include HBO’s vampire drama True Blood and ABC’s Desperate Housewives, as well as features About Last Night and In the Valley of Elah. He’s repped by Gersh, Atlas Artists and attorney Dave Feldman.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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