Supergirl has never been more than Superman’s cousin. She’s a cultural icon, a Kryptonian heroine of strength and empathy who has been beloved by fans of all ages. Kara Zor-El has been remade on television many times by various actresses throughout the years, each giving her life new meaning. From nostalgic takes in the ’80s to fresh interpretations for the contemporary DCU, every live-action Supergirl has made her mark. Here’s our top seven most memorable performances countdown.
7. Adrianne Palicki – Smallville’s Shocking Twist
Adrianne Palicki couldn’t be more different as she played no other than the real Kara Zor-El, but it is quite hard to erase her Smallville role from your memory. She entered the scene as Lindsay Harrison, initially a character who looked to be Supergirl, but, in the end, she was revealed to be a new creation of Jor-El. Even as an on-screen Kara, Palicki managed to turn in a strong performance–her combination of strength and subtlety made her outstanding as one of the most recognizable universes of the Superman mythos.
6. Sasha Calle – An Impulsive, Brief DCEU Supergirl
Her performance was very praised and indeed admirable. However, her journey as the flying hero was short-lived as the studio decided not to go forward with her solo film.
Nevertheless, many supporters of the character were still able to experience the fire of Calle’s incarnate Kara and thus yearned for her to appear on screen considerably more.
5. Laura Vandervoort – Smallville’s Confident Kara
When Smallville finally brought Supergirl on board, Laura Vandervoort presented us with a Kara who was bold, confident, and blissfully self-assured. Clark was still figuring things out, while Kara entered the scene with a sense of identity and purpose that ranked right away.
Although the show’s “no tights, no flights” mantra kept her from the traditional costume, Vandervoort made Kara her own. She returned later to the Supergirl legacy as Indigo in the Arrowverse and established her place in the franchise’s DNA.
4. Milly Alcock – The Future Supergirl of DCU
The newest actress to take on the cape is Milly Alcock, known for House of the Dragon. She’ll make her first appearance in Superman: Legacy and then star in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Alcock’s take will be done with a focus on the darker, grittier parts of Kara’s journey, delving into her strength in an older, tougher universe. Fans cannot wait to see how she reimagines Supergirl for the next generation of DC movies.
3. Helen Slater – The Original Girl of Steel
In 1984, Helen Slater created the character of Supergirl in the film, allowing viewers their initial cinematic adaptation of Kara. With her acting, she was able to mix the traits of determination and compassion, which later on were considered the standard for the next adaptations. DC has been benefiting from her presence as she is still part of the fiction universe, having come back as Lara-El in Smallville and as Eliza Danvers in Supergirl. Besides that, she was (digitally) back in The Flash with Christopher Reeve as Superman. Not many actors can be compared to Slater in terms of their tribute to the character’s history.
2. Melissa Benoist – The Arrowverse’s Indelible Kara
Melissa Benoist played six seasons of Kara Danvers on the CW’s Supergirl, and for some, she’s now the definitive Kara. Benoist walked a fine line between humor, optimism, and heart, and added raw emotional depth to the role, making her Kara relatable and inspiring. She weathered huge crossover events, emerged as a leader in the Arrowverse, and provided fans with a Supergirl who exuded hope in every moment.
1. Supergirl’s Enduring Legacy
More than her only feat, Supergirl’s story is told through the different renditions that have evolved her character. Each performer has highlighted aspects of her nature – her courage, her kindness, her sharpness, and her longing to be accepted.
From the various adaptations, there has been a very strong and consistent idea: Supergirl is a symbol of strength and a source of the amazing people around the world that she is not the only ones with powers, who are capable of making a difference.