Lois Lane will make her debut on The CW in this year’s Arrowverse crossover event. But who should play the iconic reporter?
Batwoman (Ruby Rose) won’t be the only hero to join The CW’s Arrowverse in this winter’s fifth annual crossover. As was announced last week, iconic Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane will also be making her debut, alongside her boyfriend Superman (Tyler Hoechlin).
Clark Kent, aka Kal-El, was introduced to the Arrowverse at the beginning of Supergirl‘s second season in 2016. The crossover will mark his first time meeting The Flash (Grant Gustin) and Green Arrow (Stephen Amell), though.
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According to Deadline, the Man of Steel will appear in all three hours of the crossover. As of now, it’s unclear how big of a role Lois will have. However, given that she will presumably be introduced by Superman, she may be appearing as early as the first episode.
Casting for Lois is a bit complicated. Her younger sister Lucy had a recurring role in Supergirl‘s first season and was portrayed by Jenna Dewan. Dewan was in her mid-thirties but was Lucy was seemingly meant to be in her late twenties.
As the older sister, Lois could presumably be in her early thirties. Furthermore, Hoechlin is only 30, so it would make sense for the actress playing Lois to be around that age. Technically, Clark should actually be in his late thirties. He’s supposed to be about twelve years older than Kara, aka Supergirl, (Melissa Benoist). But Supergirl cast who they cast, and Hoechlin has done a great job.
With all that mind, I have exclusively chosen actresses in their early thirties. But I have not exclusively chosen actresses who look like Dewan. Dewan is white. General Sam Lane (Glenn Morshower), their father who also appeared in Supergirl‘s first season, is white. Lois is white in the comics. However, I don’t The CW should limit its options because of that.
It’s 2018, after all. The focus should be on finding the right person for the job and not on matching what’s previously been implied about Lois’ race. In all likelihood, Lucy and Sam won’t appear in the Arrowverse again. However, Lois very well could, given her iconic status, which is all the more reason for The CW to widen its casting pool. Here are six actresses I’d love to see play Lois.
6. Tasya Teles
Teles is already a CW star. Since 2015, she has played Echo on the post-apocalyptic drama The 100. Echo can’t exactly be called a fan favorite. Given that she betrayed Skaikru multiple times in earlier seasons, she has remained a pretty controversial character. Many viewers love her, though, and Teles’ nuanced portrayal has definitely made her sympathetic and admirable.
What can definitively be said about Echo is that she’s an excellent warrior and a fierce leader. Lois probably won’t do any fighting in the crossover, but she will be working hard as a journalist. If recent years have proven anything, it’s that journalists need to be tough to get to the truth. Enter Teles as Lois.
5. Lea Michele
Fox’s Glee may have actually been the single biggest training ground for the Arrowverse. So far, we’ve seen Sebastian Smythe as The Flash, Marley Rose as Supergirl and Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) as Music Meister. Why not add Rachel Berry as Lois Lane?
Like Echo, Michele’s Rachel is a pretty polarizing character among fans. Rachel could certainly be arrogant and rather “extra” at times, which viewers tend to harp on. However, Rachel was also vulnerable, compassionate, and incredibly brave. Michele doesn’t get nearly enough credit for making Rachel a complex character.
Given how complex Lois is, assuming The CW does her justice, Michele would be a great pick to play tenacious reporter. Unfortunately, Lois probably won’t have a reason to sing in the crossover. Then again, Kara sang at Barry and Iris’ (Candice Patton) wedding during last year’s crossover, so you never know.
4. Jaina Lee Ortiz
From 2015 to 2017, Ortiz starred as Detective Annalise Villa on Fox’s procedural drama Rosewood. She now headlines ABC’s Station 19, a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy about Seattle firefighters that returns for season two this fall.
Ortiz proved to be a scene-stealer, both dramatically and comedically, from the moment her character, Lieutenant Andy Herrera, debuted on Grey’s in a backdoor pilot episode last spring.
She has continued to bring that strong presence as the anchor for Station 19. Though quite competent as a firefighter, Andy has to fight for a seat at the table, which doesn’t become easier when she and her on-again, off-again boyfriend (Grey Damon) are forced to run the station together.
But Andy is no shrinking violet, and neither is Lois. Ortiz would definitely be able to make Lois be an equal partner to Superman.
3. Lucy Hale
Hale was actually most recently seen on The CW. After starring on ABC Family/Freeform’s incredibly popular Pretty Little Liars for seven years, Hale returned to television as the headliner of Life Sentence. The quirky dramedy followed Stella Abbott, a woman whose life changes dramatically when she finds out she has been cured of cancer.
Sadly, the show was canceled after only one season, so it’s understandable if Hale may not want to return the network so quickly. But she would make a great Lois.
As Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellasario) fondly said of Hale’s 5’2″ Aria Montgomery, “You’re little. But you’re big.” Aria was a lovable and fierce powerhouse on PLL and that was because of Hale’s captivating presence and range. Here’s to hoping she’ll bring her talents to the Arrowverse.
2. Aja Naomi King
It’s not easy to be a stand out on a show that stars Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar winner Viola Davis. But like her overachieving How to Get Away with Murder law student, Michaela Pratt, King commands attention.
Michaela is highly intelligent, competitive and, yes, a bit snobbish. She is determined, not unlike Lois, to bring her A-game and seek justice for others. Michaela isn’t easy to get along with, and she doesn’t want to be. It’s actually part of what makes her such a great character.
However, King also ensures that she isn’t one-dimensional. Despite often pretending like she doesn’t about other people, Michaela is a fierce and protective friend. She looks out for others, even when it’s not in her best interest. King would be a great choice to play the similarly hard-working and protective Lois.
King is also a CW alum. From 2012 to 2013, she starred as Dr. Cassandra Kopelson on the short-lived medical drama Emily Owens, M.D.
1. Ally Maki
Maki currently stars as Jess Kato on the TBS comedy Wrecked, which is airing its third season. She is no stranger to superhero television, though. This summer, she had a recurring role on Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger as Mina Hess, an environmental engineer who goes to great lengths in an effort to right the wrongs of the corrupt company she works for.
Mina is also in Tandy Bowen’s (Olivia Holt) corner when she desperately needs a friend. Fans of Cloak & Dagger know that Tandy is volatile and tends to act selfishly and that Mina, by contrast, is quite warm and compassionate.
The odd coupling comes to affect both women in unexpected ways, and Maki shows off her range as Mina’s personality rapidly and radically shifts near the end of the season. Hopefully, Maki can show off that range again (this time for DC) as the complex Lois Lane.
Who would you like to see as Lois Lane in this year’s Arrowverse crossover? Let us know in the comments section below.