CBS Gives First Look at New ‘Supergirl’ Costume

As production starts on the upcoming CBS pilot for the Supergirl live-action TV series, the network on Friday released the first set of official photos of Melissa Benoist's character in her red-and-blue Girl of Steel uniform.

The new Supergirl costume, according to Variety, was designed by three-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood, who also designed the suits for The CW's The Flash and Arrow. Atwood is also best known for her work on Into the Woods, Snow White and the Huntsman, Alice in Wonderland, Memoirs of a Geisha, Dark Shadows, Sleepy Hollow, Wyatt Earp, Edward Scissorhands, and Chicago, among others.

Den of Geeks, in its take on the Atwood-designed Supergirl costume, wrote: "A good or naff costume can make or break a screen superhero..., but we're happy to report that Melissa Benoist's Supergirl costume is pretty darn good.... It's a mix of classic charm and modern grittiness, with a trendy partially transparent take on the 'S' emblem (which may or may not be a Kryptonian symbol for hope in this iteration) thrown in as well. There's no sign of bare legs, or low cut tops, which is both a relief and a testament to the skills of designer Colleen Atwood in capturing the essence of a comic icon without the letchy womanising design which often comes with the territory."

Aside from Melissa Benoist who stars as Kara Zor-el/Kara Danvers/Supergirl, the others confirmed in the cast are Mehcad Brooks as Jimmy Olsen, Laura Benanti as Kara's birth mother Alura Zor-el, Calista Flockhart as Catco founder and Kara's boss Cat Grant, David Harewood as CIA agent Hank Henshaw/Cyborg Superman, and Chyler Leigh as Kara's foster sister Alexandra Danvers.

Dean Cain and Helen Slater have also landed guest-starring roles on CBS' upcoming TV series Supergirl according to TV Line. Cain portrayed the Man of Steel/Clark Kent in ABC's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, while Slater starred as Kara, the titular heroine, in the 1984 movie Supergirl. Both also guest-starred on the WB/CW Superman drama series Smallville, with Cain as the immortal Dr. Curtis Knox and Slater in the role of Clark Kent/Kal-El's Krypton mom Lara. Details on Cain's and Slater's roles in the pilot for the new Supergirl TV series have not yet been announced.

Supergirl has been developed for the small-screen by writers and producers Greg Berlanti and Allison Adler. According to the network, as reported by IGN, the series is described thus: "Based on the characters from DC Comics, Supergirl will follow Kara Zor-El. Born on the planet Krypton, Kara escaped amid its destruction years ago. And since arriving on Earth, she's been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin. But now at age 24, she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be.