Whiplash’s Melissa Benoist is Officially Supergirl

Melissa Benoist who’s best known for her role on Glee and her most recent role in the critically acclaimed film Whiplash has been officially cast as Supergirl for the CBS television series.

Benoist casting comes as a surprise as she wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a possible or rumored candidate for the role. The Hollywood Reporter states that Benoist edged out fan favorite Claire Holt for the role, among others.

The hourlong drama, which received a hefty series commitment, centers on Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin, who was born on the planet Krypton and escaped amid its destruction years ago. Benoist will play Kara, who after arriving on Earth was taken in by a foster family, the Danvers, who taught her to be careful with her extraordinary powers (which she shares with her famous cousin, Superman).

Now 24, Kara feels un-empowered, a slave to having repressed her innate abilities. She’s still pretty, but with her face hidden behind glasses and her hair pulled back, she doesn’t know it herself. An unexpected disaster forces her to use her powers in public. Energized by her heroic deed, for the first time in her life, Kara begins embracing her extraordinary abilities. She begins helping the people of her city and they soon take notice — and she’s even given a new moniker: Supergirl.

Needless to say we’re looking forward to seeing her in the role and Benoist seems to be too!

But seriously, sans emoji… I AM SO EXCITED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #Supergirl

— Melissa Benoist (@itsmmbenoist) January 22, 2015

@SarahSoWitty @itsmmbenoist @GBerlanti @AJKreisberg #Supergirl pic.twitter.com/y8uNS4gVBw

— DavidRapaportCasting (@RapaportCasting) January 22, 2015

@AliAdler @AJKreisberg @itsmmbenoist @SarahSoWitty @RapaportCasting @GBerlanti #Supergirl pic.twitter.com/TiZGPDSn3G

— DavidRapaportCasting (@RapaportCasting) January 22, 2015

Source: Hollywood Reporter