After an intense – and very good – season 4, Supergirl season 5 is approaching and it looks like the show is shaking things up. Not only is Supergirl getting a new suit for the first time ever, but some principal cast members are changing. If you consider casting news spoilers, this is your chance to cover your eyes.
Jeremy Jordan, who played Winn Schott for three seasons, left for the fourth season, heading into the future with Supergirl’s ex-boyfriend (and Melissa Benoist’s real-life beau) Mon-El and the Legion of Superheroes. He’s only returning for three episodes, though, so it’s unclear what all is going on. Entertainment Tonight is reporting that the episodes are set in the second half of the season, after the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover is finished.
The bigger change, though, is the departure of actor Mehcad Brooks. Brooks has played the part of James Olsen, the show’s take on Superman sidekick Jimmy Olsen, since the show’s very first episodes on CBS.
Deadline is reporting that Brooks will leave the show in the first half of season 5. The move is apparently Brooks’ decision, with the actor leaving to focus on film and another show. My first thought was that he might bite the bullet during the Crisis, but the announcement from the studio suggests that’s unlikely:
We love Mehcad and we’re sad to see him leave the show as a series regular, but we’re excited for both Mehcad and James Olsen’s future. He’ll always be a part of our Supergirl family and we look forward to James returning to National City at some point to visit his sister and his super friends.
With Olsen having risen from photographer to art director to CEO, having taken on and put down the mantle of Guardian, and having even had temporary superpowers, he’s been through a lot. It seems like a good time for the character to take a break. Meanwhile, who will run CatCo in his place? We’re guessing Calista Flockhart still isn’t coming back – which is an absolute shame.
Supergirl season 5 premiers Sunday, October 6, at 9pm EST.
