The CW commemorated International Women's Day by releasing special spotlights with the stars of Charmed and Supergirl sharing what their respective characters and shows help represent.
Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery and Madeleine Mantock, who portray the eponymous Charmed Ones on The CW reboot of the fantasy series, observe that they each portray women of color, bringing much-needed diversity into the genre space. Diaz notes that her character being openly and proudly gay adds to the message of seizing one's own identity confidently and in an empowering way that has been embraced by audiences.
Azie Tesfai, who has starred as Kelly Olsen on Supergirl for the past several seasons, appreciates the amount of intersectional representation her character brings to the Arrowverse series as a strong, successful, gay, Black woman.
"To exist as a woman in society comes with its own set of frustrations and obstacles to overcome," Tesfai said in her own spotlight clip ahead of the Season 6 premiere. "And to live as a Black woman or man comes with its own set of obstacles to overcome. And to be intersectionally marginalized as a Black woman, it's like running the race with both hands tied behind your back and your leg. Not only do Black women persevere and are resilient, we finish the race and often win the race and are able to do all of this and be creatives and tell stories and show up and be family members and mothers and all of these beautiful roles in society starting out not on a equal point or equal playing field. That is the magic and the spirit and tenacity Black women have to show up every single day as our full selves and shine."
Charmed stars Sarah Jeffery, Madeleine Mantock, Melonie Diaz, Rupert Evans, Jordan Donica and Poppy Drayton. New episodes air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
Supergirl stars Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers, David Harewood as Martian Manhunter, Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, Nicole Maines as Dreamer, Azie Tesfai as Kelly Olsen and Jesse Rath as Brainiac-5. Season 6 premieres March 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.