Entertainment

Jenna Dewan-Tatum Joins 'Supergirl'

by Orli Matlow

Jenna Dewan-Tatum is not just Mrs. Channing (and Everly's mom!), but also an very talented individual on her own. She recently appeared on Witches of East End and American Horror Story, and will be coming back to TV now that Dewan-Tatum will play Lucy Lane on CBS' Supergirl. The actress and dancer, who famously met Channing when starring opposite him in the 2006 dance romance Step Up, will have a recurring role on the superhero show as the sister of Superman's love interest, Lois Lane.

Entertainment Weekly describes Dewan-Tatum's character as "strong, smart and successful in her own right. She’s got a history with Jimmy Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) and she’s come to town to right a previous wrong." Hmm... do I sense a love triangle? In the Supergirl trailer, there's a little bit of tension between Jimmy and Supergirl herself, Kara Danvers née Zor-El. Jimmy is a photographer at CatCo, the media company where Kara also works as the personal assistant to Cat Grant, who is played by Calista Flockhart.

Lucy has a long history in the comics as Jimmy's love interest. She was first introduced in a comic called Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen in 1959, as a flight attendant with whom he had an on-again, off-again relationship. Here are the Lucy Lane facts you need to know, but we'll just have to see how much the comics affect Supergirl when it premieres Oct. 23.

1. She Joined the Military

When she presumes her father, General Sam Lane, to be dead, she joins the military in order to keep his legacy alive. Little did she know that General Lane was still living and working in the government. Lucy is an exceptional soldier and rises through the ranks.

2. She Was Previously Seen on Smallville

In the early 2000s Superman series Smallville, Lucy was played by Peyton List. She was characterized as manipulative and conniving, and had a much easier childhood than Lois because their father put less pressure on her.

3. She Becomes Superwoman

Lucy was working with her father on a secret government project dealing with Kryptonians on earth when she magically gathered Kryptonian powers and abilities. She began fighting as Superwoman, in a suit that resembled those of Superman and Supergirl.

4. She Has Superhero Beef With Supergirl

They're not just competitors for Jimmy Olsen's love. When Lucy began parading as Superwoman, she did not exclusively use them for good. [SPOILER ALERT:] She committed several murders, and, when Supergirl found out, she destroyed the Superwoman suit and thus all Lucy's powers. Superwoman was defeated by Supergirl and arrested for her crimes.

Will Jenna Dewan-Tatum bear the Superwoman suit on Supergirl? If so, she'd be joining her husband Channing, who will begin fighting crime as one of the X-Men, Gambit. We'll found out this season.

Images: CW; DC Comics (2); Giphy