Supergirl’s David Harewood previews Season 4

Of the Arrowverse shows, it’s a bit ironic that Supergirl with it’s “aliens develop superpowers when exposed to the sun” premise, is the most down-to-Earth (ahem…). But as the show enters its fourth season, none of the other shows are as uplifting, as contemporary, or as downright political, as Supergirl.

Besides the focus on a woman’s perspective and the reality of being a woman in today’s world (or on another Earth, as it may be), Supergirl has also taken on hot-button political issues such as homosexuality, gun control, and racism. This season, the show promises to keep it coming with the introduction of a new character, the first transgendered superhero, Dreamer, played by transgender advocate Nicole Amber Maines.

We sat down with Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl), Mehcad Brooks (James Olsen), Jesse Rath (Brainiac-5), and David Harewood at San Deigo Comic Con to discuss the upcoming season and the significance of some of the social issues into which the show has delved.

Here are the highlights from our relatively long discussion with David:

• He is excited that he will be directing the 19th episode of the fourth season
• J’onn is struggling to be a pacifist when many situations encourage him to step up and get involved (and often violent)
• He loved working with Carl Lubly
• Alex and Kara are like J’onn’s family and we will see more tender moments between them in season 4
• His character has an entire new wardrobe of street clothes which he loves
• He likes that Supergirl pushes boundaries
• The scripts for the episodes he has seen so far have been great. The set feels different this year with Melissa Benoist off on Broadway temporarily and with the cast changes after the season 3 finale.

Supergirl premieres on Sunday, October 14th at 8/7c on The CW