Courtesy of Trae Patton/CBS
After the network preempted her big introduction episode in the wake of the Paris attacks due to sensitive content, Dewan Tatum — who plays Lucy Lane — is thankful the hour is finally airing tonight.
Lucy Lane (Jenna Dewan Tatum) is finally getting a proper welcome on Supergirl.
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, CBS preempted Lucy Lane's big introduction episode of the DC Comics drama because of a plot in which Kara (Melissa Benoist) works to stop terrorist attacks all around National City. The network instead swapped in the next episode, "Livewire."
On Monday, viewers will see Lois Lane's sister get her proper introduction — with an explination why she arrived unexpectedly in National City as well as more on her rocky romantic history with James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks).
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Supergirl's newest addition about preempting her debut as well as what Lucy Lane brings to the show and more.
After the last-minute schedule change, were you nervous that this episode was never going to air because of the terrorism plot?
Of course. Trust me, in this business, nothing surprises me anymore. There's no guarantees even when you think something is a guarantees. Nothing is for certain. I definitely was very hopeful they would end up airing it at some point because regardless of my storyline and the introduction of Lucy and going a bit deeper into her as a character, the episode is just really good. I felt really strongly about this episode being seen because of all the work that went into it with the directing and story-wise for Kara it's a really strong episode. I hoped it would all work out so I'm happy it did.
This episode focuses a lot on whether or not James and Lucy will rekindle their relationship. That's the big question of the episode, but since we've seen the episode that comes after it, we already know that they get back together. Do you think that will change how viewers respond to the episode and your character's introduction, knowing the outcome in advance?
You know, it really might. That's the honest truth. You can't really help it. But I respect what CBS chose to do and what the producers chose to do, pulling the episode. It was the right thing to do. And I'm happy the episode is going to be seen in the end. I received a lot of messages from people who want to learn more about Lucy and how she ended up in this place with James in this episode. They were confused. So this episode will clear up a lot of deep questions people have about James and Lucy. This episode will give you much more to chew on.
It's always a risk coming onto a show as a romantic foil for a relationship that fans are rooting for. Were you nervous or intimidated at all coming onto Supergirl as James' ex right when he and Kara were starting to develop some real chemistry?
As most TV shows go, it continues to develop as you become a part of it. So I knew that they had intentions for this character. One of the things that the showrunners wanted to do was to make her a warm, fun character. Just a really smart and strong woman. I wasn't interested in coming on as playing this old, intentional foil to James and Kara. That's not so fun to play. This is different because we're creating this relationship and friendship between Lucy and Kara. And you'll see that Lucy is human. She's not perfect but she holds her own. So this isn't just a love triangle storyline. It blossoms into some awesome and exciting story points to come. I'm not just some ice queen coming on to shake things up for Kara.
It's refreshing to see that Lucy and Kara are going to become friends in spite of their feelings for James. That's such a new take on what could have been a cliché TV trope.
The writers are going to write a realistic female story. We have all been there. I've met girls who I wouldn't particularly normally want to start a friendship with but you just can't not like them and you end up friends in the end. I let her in on some of my insecurities about James and stuff that happens to be about Supergirl. Obviously I have no idea that she's Supergirl at the time. So we bond over a common thing that all women have which is moments of weakness and moments of strength. So I get to be vulnerable and talk with Kara and that creates a friendship. It's not what normally happens with a love triangle.
What is Lucy's relationship with her father, General Sam Lane, like?
My father is a very intense character who rubs people the wrong way in certain situations. My father and James don't necessarily see eye to eye on things which puts me in a tough position. My heart is one place and my mind is in another. Lucy is a daddy's girl and she grew up idolizing Sam so it's a really interesting dynamic. Plus, he and the DEO go head-to-head, which will be huge for everyone.
What are you most excited for fans to see from these next few episodes?
As strong and confident and smart as Lucy she, she is also a human and I'm really excited for people to see her weak spots too. We'll get to see a few of those in the next run of episodes.
Supergirl airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBS.
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