All the Actresses Who Have Played Live-Action Supergirl

Originally published April 13, 2026. This article covers who has played Supergirl in live action, including who is playing Supergirl in the 2026 film.

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Supergirl, or Kara Zor-El, is a super-powered teenager from the planet Krypton. The Girl of Steel is Superman’s rebellious older cousin, and has a little more difficulty fitting in on Earth. Naturally, that makes her a completely compelling character. From her first appearance in Action Comics #252 (1959) to her on-screen debut almost 30 years later, she’s been a staple in DC media. A total of five actresses have played Supergirl in live action — well, six if you count the series Smallville’s episodic subterfuge.

Of course, Supergirl doesn’t just exist in live action. DC has showcased this beloved character in video games as well as animated movies and shows. While our article only covers her live action appearances, it’s important to acknowledge the wide variety of talented voice actresses who have also taken on this iconic role. We’re grateful to all the women who have kept Kara Danvers’ legacy alive across DC media. See the list of live-action leading (or in some cases, supporting cast) ladies below. Then, keep reading to learn more about each of their unique takes on Supergirl.

Actresses who have played Supergirl in live action:

• Helen Slater
• Adrianne Palicki
• Laura Vandervoort
• Melissa Benoist
• Sasha Calle
• Milly Alcock

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Helen Slater was the first Supergirl

• Film/Series: Supergirl (1984)

In the ’80s, Helen Slater debuted as Supergirl in a British super hero film. Slater was the very first actress to bring Supergirl to the screen — silver or small. The film itself blended sci-fi and fantasy elements. It also changed Kara’s backstory completely. Overall, the film received negative feedback. That’s because Supergirl mostly centered on vacuous romance and rivalry between female characters. Yet, for her nuanced portrayal even in the face of questionable writing, Slater was nominated for a Saturn Award for her acting. Clearly, Slater was a standout piece of an otherwise ill-reviewed release.

Fun fact: Helen Slater later joined the Smallville cast as Lara, Clark Kent’s biological mother. She also played Eliza Danvers, Kara’s adopted mom, in CW’s Supergirl. This pattern persists throughout DC media, in which previous actors often make cameos or become recurring characters in their new counterparts’ projects.

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Adrianne Palicki faked everyone out in Smallville

• Film/Series: Smallville (2001—2011)

We’ll get our own “um, actually” out of the way. Adrianne Palicki never actually played Supergirl. Instead, she played Lindsay Harrison, a teen girl brainwashed into believing she was Kara Zor-El. During a meteor crash, Jor-El used the confusion and chaos to kidnap Lindsay. He also gave her Kryptonian powers. She then posed as Supergirl in order to lure Clark Kent into a trap in the Smallville episode “Covenant.” Palicki committed quite nicely to the role, but also added her signature sensuality and a romantic flair to the teen drama. We’re glad she wasn’t truly Kara, then, given that the two Kryptonians are blood-related.

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Laura Vandervoort showed us the real Kara

• Film/Series: Smallville (2001—2011)

The real Supergirl didn’t land in Smallville until season 7. Critics praised Laura Vandervoort’s casting and acting, calling her a perfect fit for the role. She embodied Kara’s tougher attitude while depicting her more classic appearance. Girl next door, cheerleader, role model, cool cousin; Vandervoort wove complexity into a character previously given extremely underwhelming narratives. She ended her time on Smallville by battling Brainiac and moving on from Clark’s life. True to DC media tradition, Vandervoort was able to appear years later on Supergirl as the villain Indigo.

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Melissa Benoist defined Supergirl in the modern era

• Film/Series: CW’s Supergirl (2015—2021)

Actress/singer extraordinaire Melissa Benoist played Supergirl the longest. She was part of the CW channel’s Arrowverse, which attempted to create a canon universe and cohesive lore across multiple television shows. Benoist was a brilliant Supergirl. She was tough and vulnerable, troubled and tenacious. The series focused on previously unexplored aspects of her character, including her time as a reporter. And while the similarities to Clark Kent’s arcs were undeniable, Benoist deftly navigated each aspect without becoming derivative.

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Sasha Calle brought Supergirl back to the big screen

• Film/Series: The Flash (2023)

Brief yet memorable, Sasha Calle embodied an alternate reality Supergirl in The Flash. Because it was based on the Flashpoint comic, the movie could bring in older actors, different versions of heroes like Batman, and so forth. Calle had her chance to shine as a traumatized teenager hell-bent on saving the world. Her writing tonally aligned with the other DCEU movies, which focused on dark, gritty, fantastical storytelling. But Calle’s Supergirl stint was short-lived as Warner Bros. was soon taken over, and the slate wiped clean for the upcoming DC Universe.

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Milly Alcock is the newest Supergirl

• Film/Series: Supergirl (2026)

Meet your Supergirl! In an effort to fix a fractured franchise, James Gunn and Peter Saffron soft reset the DCU. This involved restructuring and recasting. Milly Alcock first appeared in a post-credits scene in Superman (2025). In a hilarious few minutes of footage, she picked up her dog Krypto and used some language that would make Clark Kent shout, “What the hey!” Next, Alcock will star as the titular hero of a planet-hopping, vengeful, puppy-protecting journey through the stars. Catch Supergirl exclusively in theaters on June 26, 2026.

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Who was your favorite live-action Supergirl? Or what’s your favorite version of Supergirl, and do you think any actresses have perfected their performance of that particular depiction?

Discuss your DC opinions with more fans at side.show/geekgroup or in the Sideshow Social Network. And don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow — plus pick up some Superman action figures to celebrate your favorite character while you’re at it!