Supergirl announced Friday that Laura Benanti would not be returning as Kara Danvers aka Supergirl’s birth mother, Alura Zor-El, in the upcoming 3rd season. Benanti also played General Astra, twin sister of the deceased Alura and sort of enemy of Supergirl (Melissa Benoist). Erica Durance, who played Lois Lane in the Superman series, Smallville, will take over the recurring role.

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Benanti is leaving on an amicable note. Of the switch, EP Andrew Kreisberg said this:

“Unfortunately Laura, who Greg and I have worked with for years going back to “˜Eli Stone,’ was unable to continue in the role due to work commitments in New York. But we are so blessed that Erica has come aboard to offer her own interpretation of Kara’s mother. We had tremendous success with a former Lois Lane last season with Teri Hatcher. We know Erica will continue the proud tradition of legacy actors joining our shows and creating new and exciting takes on classic DC characters.”

Supergirl is used to giving their “super” friends some love and employment. Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain, of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, play(ed) Rhea of Daxam and Jeremiah Danvers, respectively. Helen Slater, our 1980s Supergirl, plays Eliza Danvers, Kara’s adoptive mother. Lynda Carter of Wonder Woman fame, plays President Olivia Marsdin, secret alien. Laura Vandervoort, who played Indigo, also played Supergirl in Smallville. Now, if they would just bring over Jensen Ackles, Sam Witwer, James Marsters, Justin Hartley, and Tom Welling, I will be a “super” happy camper. For no real reason at all, I must mention how pleased I was with Chris Wood as Mon-El. I LOVED him in The Vampire Diaries, and he was a great addition to the Supergirl cast.

Supergirl returns Monday, October 9th on The CW.

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[Source: Variety]