The final season will consist of 20 episodes, with production set to begin this month ahead of its 2021 return.
Supergirl is taking one last flight.
The CW announced Tuesday that its Melissa Benoist-led Arrow spinoff Supergirl will conclude with its upcoming sixth season. The final season, which is slated to return to production later this month in Vancouver, will consist of 20 episodes and premiere in 2021. The new season of Supergirl is not part of The CW’s “fall” schedule in January; it will arrive whenever midseason 2021 is for the network. The move was designed to allow production to resume after leading lady Benoist returned from maternity leave.
“To say it has been an honor portraying this iconic character would be a massive understatement,” Benoist wrote on Instagram. “Seeing the incredible impact the show has had on young girls around the world has always left me humbled and speechless. She’s had that impact on me, too. She’s taught me strength I didn’t know I had, to find hope in the darkest of places, and that we are stronger when we’re united. What she stands for pushes all of us to be better. She has changed my life for the better, and I’m forever grateful. I’m so excited that we get to plan our conclusion to this amazing journey, and I cannot wait for you to see what we have in store. I promise we’re going to make it one helluva final season.”
The series, which was originally developed and aired its first season on CBS, was the second spinoff to originate from DC Comics drama Arrow, following The Flash. While former CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler ordered the drama as part of a push to bring women to the network, the low-rated and expensive drama ultimately was moved to The CW. As part of the move, production shifted from L.A. to Vancouver as a way to reduce the show’s budget. The filming change also prompted original co-star Calista Flockhart to depart in season two.
Supergirl has been a reliable performer for The CW. The Greg Berlanti drama from Warner Bros. TV is the Mark Pedowitz-led network’s fourth-most-watched scripted original and trails only behind The Flash, Supernatural and Batwoman. In a testament to the network’s support of the series, Pedowitz in 2018 used Supergirl to kickoff originals on Sundays. Supergirl helped to launch Charmed and fellow Arrow-verse spinoff Batwoman. The decision to wrap the series arrives a year after The CW parted ways with Arrow, the show that ushered the younger-focused broadcaster into the world of DC Comics and launched a massive franchise. The move also means that The CW, a joint venture between CBS TV Studios and Warner Bros. TV, will say farewell to Supernatural and Supergirl this season.
With the farewell, Berlanti’s CW-based DC world will now consist of The Flash (returning for its seventh season); Legends of Tomorrow (entering season six), Black Lightning (season four), Batwoman (season two) and rookie Superman & Lois. Berlanti this year is also poised to say farewell to Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
The producer’s roster of scripted originals currently sits at 19 (plus one docuseries). His Warner Bros. TV-based Berlanti Productions banner, which he runs alongside partner Sarah Schechter, is responsible for 10 shows on The CW: DC Universe import Stargirl, Kung Fu, Batwoman, The Flash, Supergirl, Black Lightning, Legends of Tomorrow, Riverdale, All American and Superman & Lois. He also has Fox’s Prodigal Son, HBO Max’s Titans and Doom Patrol (both DCU imports), The Flight Attendant and DC Comics dramas Green Lantern and Strange Adventures. He’s behind You, Sabrina and The Girls on the Bus for Netflix. Last season, he said farewell to CBS’ God Friended Me, NBC’s Blindspot, The CW’s Arrow and Katy Keene.
Benoist stars alongside Chyler Leigh, Katie McGrath, Jesse Rath, Nicole Maines, Azie Tesfai, Andrea Brooks, Julie Gonzalo, Staz Nair and David Harewood, with special guest star Jon Cryer. Berlanti, Schechter, showrunners Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller and Rob Wright exec produce.
Supergirl’s ending arrives as Warner Bros. TV is in the midst of a search to replace Susan Rovner, the studio’s co-president and wife of co-showrunner Robert Rovner. Susan Rovner departed the studio earlier this month and is expected to be announced as NBCUniversal’s head of entertainment programming. It’s worth noting that Warners did attempt to keep her at the studio, where she was considered the heir apparent to replace Peter Roth as WB TV Group chairman.
