In the most recent episode of Supergirl titled “Hero For A Day”, we got the major twist with one of the character on the CBS Television series.
Which is that Hank Henshaw is actually J’Onn J’Onnz, also known as Martian Manhunter and now it appears the character will become a major player in the new series.
Supergirl executive producer Andrew Kreisberg spoke with TVLine on Martian Manhunter’s role on the series and where it factors into the story.
ON HIS CHARACTER BECOMING A MAJOR PART OF THE SERIES
Though Kara will of course remain Supergirl‘s focus, J’onn’s backstory will be crucial to upcoming episodes. As non-comic-book-reading viewers will come to learn, J’onn had a family and a life of his own back on Mars, before a war between the White Martians and the Green Martians caused most of the latter race to be eradicated in a fire.
According to David Harewood, the man behind J’onn, Episode 11 will reveal his character’s past, and it will be quite the evocative outing. “It was a very emotional episode, just thinking about the whole idea of genocide and people being burned alive,” Harewood teases. “It’s going to be a very emotional and powerful episode, and fans will be really delighted to see it.”
ON HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH ALEX AND KARA
As Alex and Kara come to grips with the idea that J’onn isn’tactually Hank Henshaw, they will develop a relationship with Harewood’s character that the actor says will be quite enjoyable for viewers. “Having lost his own children, [Jonn’s] got a lot of pain and melancholy, which is fantastic to play. These two girls represent something that’s very close to him,” he reveals.
Adds Chyler Leigh: “Up until [Episode 7], there’s the question of who Hank is and how much he knows about our past and our family. There’s tons of mistrust, a lot of questions and not a lot of answers. But [J’onn] looks at Alex almost as if she’s one of his children. There’s so many wonderful moments between the two of them when he says, ‘You’re very much like my daughter.’”
ON HIS WILLINGNESS TO BE HIMSELF
That’s not to say J’onn will be completely comfortable in his own skin anytime soon — in fact, quite the contrary. J’onn will be hesitant to use his many powers, especially since he isn’t quite as easy on the eyes as Kara.
“That’s very uncomfortable, because he realizes that Kara is beautiful and blonde and gorgeous, and I’m this 7-foot, green martian,” Harewood explains. “As much as I want to just be myself, it would terrify people to be confronted with this ape. Seeing Kara enjoy revealing her true nature — there’s something about that where the Martian Manhunter is a little envious, because he can’t quite do that.”
That said, Harewood said he is enjoying playing his shapeshifting character, who won’t always take the form of Hank as the season progresses. “As you’ll see in episodes to come, there’s a lot of fun to be had,” he hints. “He can be whoever he wants to be, so I think you’ll find me being other members of the cast at various points of the story.”
To read the full interview go to TVLine.com.
- Said Taghmaoui Training for Wonder Woman 1984? - September 7, 2018
- Jay Oliva Worked a Bit on The Batman with Ben Affleck - July 6, 2018
- Supergirl the Movie Will be Receiving a San Diego Comic Con Panel - July 6, 2018