According to Supergirl star Melissa Benoist, the final season of the Arrowverse series will continue to tackle sociopolitical topics, including an upcoming episode about racial inequality.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Benoist was asked about Season 6, Episode 12, "Blind Spots," which will focus on the Black Lives Matter movement and be co-written by Azie Tesfai, who plays Kelly Olsen on the series. "I'm so proud of everyone that was involved in putting this episode up and running," Benoist said. "I'm so proud of Azie for breaking the boundaries that she did. The story that she is telling in this episode is important and timely, and I know was very personal to her. I'm really grateful I got to be a part of it." The episode airs Sept. 21 on The CW.
"Blind Spots" will also be directed by David Ramsey, completing his post-Arrow tour of directing other shows in The CW's superhero lineup. Benoist continued, "Also with David Ramsey coming to direct, he's fantastic. I know he's been kind of making the rounds on all of the Arrowverse shows, and he's a master at it. I'm so happy for him too. I also think it's really interesting and powerful and moving to approach issues like Black Lives Matter within the superhero genre, and I hope that resonates with people."
This isn't the first time Supergirl has tackled issues of racism and systemic injustice in its content. Prior stories revolving around James Olsen's career as both a journalist and the vigilante Guardian have discussed racial profiling, police violence and the prison-industrial complex. Mehcad Brooks, who plays James, departed from the show in the fifth season but is set to return before the series concludes. The identity of Guardian, meanwhile, will be taken up by his sister Kelly in "Blind Spots."
Benoist said that Supergirl is at its best when it makes topical issues a part of its story. "I think our story arc in season 4 was really dealing with stories of immigration, and I was really proud of what we did then. We do tackle a lot of those issues head-on in a more subversive way this season, but it's a lot of exploration of power and what it means, how do you wield it well, how do you wield it for the wrongs reasons, and what happens when you do on both sides of heroes and villains. I'm really proud of the way we've explored that this year."
New episodes of the sixth and final season of Supergirl airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW.
Source: Entertainment Weekly