NBC's Powerless Adds Justice League Member to Cast

CBR

By Stephen Gerding

Published Feb 2, 2017

A genuine Justice Leaguer will make a name for herself on the DC-based sitcom, though it may not be the codename she wants.

While NBC's new sitcom "Powerless" is based in the DC Universe, fans shouldn't expect to see many, if any, A-listers like Superman, Wonder Woman or Batman drop by for a guest appearance. That said, the Earth-P based series will have its share of DC Comics heroes and villains making their presence known up close and in person.

Crimson Fox, a member of DC's Global Guardians and, briefly, Justice League International, is the main superhero of Charm City, where the show is based. The Joker to her Batman, Jack O'Lantern, is another DC character, though he's traded in his Guardians membership for a life of villainy. And, in an interview with CBR, showrunner Patrick Schumacker revealed that another Guardian and full-fledged Justice Leaguer will be making her presence known when Fire arrives on the scene for a multi-episode storyline.

"Right now, we’re actually writing a script where Fire – aka Green Fury, Green Flame, whatever you want to call her; we’re actually calling her Green Fury right now – even though she wants to be called Fire, nobody seems to get the hint – makes an appearance in a few episodes to actually round out the first season," Schumacker told CBR. "We’ve cast somebody known for that. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it, so I can’t right now. [EDITOR: An interview with ComingSoon revealed the actor to be "Parks & Recreation" alum Natalie Morales] But she’s an exciting comic actress that people who are familiar with network television should be familiar with. So with that character, I think we’re trying to find a more of a comedic voice."

Check back with CBR later today for Schumacker's full interview, in which he discusses some of the ideas he hopes the show gets to explore as it embraces all of DC's myriad continuities, shares an Easter egg Superman fans should look for, and more.

Fire was created by E. Nelson Bridwell and Ramona Fradon, and first appeared as Green Fury in 1979's "Super Friends" #25. She's best known as part of the ensemble cast of Keith Giffen, J.M DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire's beloved run on "Justice League International," which was more tonally similar to a network sitcom than any other era of the super-team.

“Powerless” centers on the everyday lives of people in a world populated by super-powered heroes and villains. The workplace comedy follows Emily Locke (Hudgens), who begins her new job as director of research and development for Wayne Security, a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises that specializes in products that make defenseless bystanders feel a little safer as they try not to become collateral damage in the battles between superheroes and supervillains.

Premiering Thursday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, “Powerless” also stars Danny Pudi, Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches and Christina Kirk.