Supergirl Recast: Erica Durance To Play Kara’s Mother Alura in Season 3

In a rare move, “Supergirl” recasts Kara’s mother Alura Zor-El for its third season. Erica Durance (Smallville, Saving Hope) now plays the late Kryptonian judge and hologram on the CW drama. Fans may remember Durance as Clark Kent’s love interest Lois Lane in the CW’s “Smallville,” which ended six years ago. The casting makes Durance the second former Lois to appear on “Supergirl,” the first being Teri Hatcher as Queen Rhea. Durance replaces Laura Benanti, who played Alura (and Alura’s twin Astra) in the first season.

Erica Durance in Smallville (2001). Photo by Michael Courtney via The CW Network.

The New Alura Zor-El

In an interview with TVLine, executive producer Andrew Kreisberg thanked Laura Benanti and welcomed Erica Durance to “Supergirl.” He explained that Benanti would be unable to continue her role because of work commitments. The actress, who lives in New York City, recently gave birth to her first child on February 14. Presumably, the long commute between NYC and Vancouver, where the show is filmed, weighed in on Benanti’s decision to not come back.

Kreisberg expressed his excitement that Durance would be joining the “Supergirl” cast. He also said they were eager to see her interpretation of Alura, a very complex character in the Supergirl universe. “We know Erica will continue the proud tradition of legacy actors joining our shows,” Kreisberg stated. Apart from Teri Hatcher, “Supergirl” also includes other legacy actors, referencing previous roles in the DC universe. This includes another “Smallville” alumna Laura Vandervoort, who played Kara. Helen Slater (who played Supergirl in the 1984 movie) and Dean Cain (who played Superman in “Lois & Clark”) also appear in “Supergirl” as Kara’s adoptive parents Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers.

Chyler Leigh, Laura Benanti, and Melissa Benoist in Supergirl (2015). Photo via WBEI.

Laura Benanti Weighs In On The Recast

On July 7, Laura Benanti tweeted her reaction to Erica Durance’s casting. The new mother expressed her love and support of the show. Benanti said that although she would miss the series, she wanted time to be a “supermom” to her own child.

https://twitter.com/LauraBenanti/status/883488259988484097

Benanti will definitely be remembered and missed by fans for her complex portrayals of Alura Zor-El and Astra In-Ze. However, Erica Durance’s interpretation is also something to look forward to in the third season. Astra’s mark and influence on Kara’s life always make for intense and emotional scenes. Hopefully, Durance’s performance will be able to carry on that same impact and emotion.