Smallville | SV25: Laura Vandervoort Shares the Strength that Kara Zor-El Taught Her on Smallville
Smallville | SV25: Laura Vandervoort Shares the Strength that Kara Zor-El Taught Her on Smallville
Hosted by Derek Russell • Featuring Laura Vandervoort
Supergirl herself Laura Vandervoort joins Derek Russell on The House of El to look back on crashing onto Smallville as Kara Zor-El, teaching Clark to fly, and 25 years of female superhero empowerment.
Crashing onto Earth: Becoming Television's Supergirl
In Season 7, Laura Vandervoort made television history by bringing Kara Zor-El—Supergirl—to live-action television for the first time in a generation. Sitting down with Derek Russell for the SV25 retrospective series, Laura recounts her whirlwind audition, landing the role in Vancouver, and the exhilarating thrill of putting on the red and blue to portray Superman's powerful, flying Kryptonian cousin.
Teaching Clark to Fly: Kara's Evolution & Supergirl Legacy
Laura reflects on the fun and unique dynamic of Kara arriving on Earth already knowing how to fly—often teasing Tom Welling's groundbound Clark Kent. She discusses her favorite episodes from Season 7, her triumphant return in Season 10 to guide Clark toward his destiny, and the immense honor of passing the torch when she later guest-starred as Indigo on the Arrowverse Supergirl series.
Empowerment, Directing & 25 Years of Smallville Fandom
Beyond the cape, Laura opens up about how embodying Kara Zor-El gave her personal confidence and resilience throughout her career in television and film. She shares her journey stepping behind the camera as a director and author, while celebrating the enduring global fandom that continues to embrace her as their Supergirl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Laura Vandervoort play on Smallville?▼
Laura Vandervoort portrayed Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), Clark Kent's biological cousin from Krypton, as a main cast member in Season 7 and as a special guest star in Seasons 8 and 10.
Can Supergirl fly on Smallville before Clark Kent?▼
Yes. When Kara Zor-El arrives on Earth in Season 7, she has already mastered flight, creating an ongoing comedic and brother-sister dynamic with Clark Kent, who could not yet fly.
Did Laura Vandervoort appear in the Arrowverse Supergirl series?▼
Yes. In an homage to her Smallville legacy, Laura Vandervoort guest-starred in the 2016 Supergirl television series as the villainous Coluan supercomputer Indigo (Brainiac 8).
What has Laura Vandervoort worked on after Smallville?▼
After Smallville, Vandervoort starred in V as Lisa, Bitten as Elena Michaels, and Jigsaw. She has also expanded her career into producing, writing children's books, and directing award-winning short films.
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