Brit Morgan (TRUE BLOOD, GRACELAND) guest stars tonight on SUPERGIRL as the witty, acerbic villain, “Livewire.”
For those not up on their super-history from the animated SUPERMAN series and comic books, Livewire is a shock-jock who is turned into a fascinating villainess after an electrifying encounter with Superman that allows her to move through and control the electric grid.
Tonight’s episode may retcon that premise as Livewire is described as a volatile CatCo Media employee, Leslie Willis, (the aforementioned shock-jock) who is transformed into Livewire and targets Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart) and SUPERGIRL (Melissa Benoist).
For those keeping score, Livewire is one of only three villains who have taken the non-traditional route from animation to comic books instead of having their “birth” in print.
The other two are Mercy Graves and Harley Quinn, both of whom will be appearing in Zack Snyder’s BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE feature film (releasing March 2016).
All three of these strong, brilliant female villains spring from the genius of artist/animator/writer/ producer/director Bruce Timm who not only created Livewire, but also has the Clark Kent/Superman vibe happening. (Uber-talent and walking encyclopedia, Paul Dini, co-created Harley and Mercy with Timm.)
Livewire definitely has the chutzpah to give the Girl of Steel a run for her money.
Also with her own brand of chutzpah is the “Mom of Steel,” Kara’s foster mother, Dr. Eliza Danvers (portrayed by the fabulous Helen Slater who played the title role in the 1984 SUPERGIRL feature film).
Mom is in National City tonight and worried about the ramifications of the world knowing about her daughter’s other identity. Hard to say which is scarier…an electrified villain or a disapproving mother.
SUPERGIRL also stars Chyler Leigh, Mehcad Brooks, David Harewood and Jeremy Jordan. In addition to Slater, the recurring cast includes Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Malina Weissman, Dean Cain, Jordan Mazarati and Jay Jackson.
Also guest starring tonight are Michael Mealor, Kevin Covais and Tom Waite. The episode, “Livewire,” was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Caitlin Parrish and directed by Kevin Tancharoen.
For those viewers expecting the episode “How Does She Do It?”, it has been postponed out of respect to those affected by the Paris massacre. No word as to when/if that episode will air.
A gallery of photos is below from tonight’s episode of SUPERGIRL, which airs at 8:00 p.m. on CBS.
