The upcoming third season of The CW's Superman & Lois will see a new actor step into the role of Jonathan Kent.
Per Variety, actor Jordan Elsass, who portrayed Jonathan Kent in Superman & Lois' first two seasons, has opted to step away from the DC television series. As such, the role will be recast for Season 3, which is expected to premiere on The CW in 2023.
"Jordan Elsass has notified the Studio that he will not be returning to Superman & Lois for Season 3 due to personal reasons," Warner Bros. Television said in an official statement. "The role of Jonathan Kent will be recast." Warner Bros. TV did not disclose a specific reason for Elsass' decision to leave the show. However, according to Variety, sources close to the production say that the actor's departure is "not a result of a workplace-related issue."
Superman & Lois originally premiered on The CW in February 2021, with Season 1 concluding the following August. The show subsequently returned for a second season, which premiered this past January and concluded in June. The CW officially renewed Superman & Lois for a third season this past March.
The Kent Family Is the Heart of Superman & Lois
The Arrowverse-adjacent series sees Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch reprise their roles as Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane, respectively. During his time on the show, Elsass also starred alongside Alex Garfin, who plays Jonathan's fraternal twin brother, Jordan Kent.
Of course, Jonathan shares a name with comic book character Jonathan Kent/Superboy, Clark Kent and Lois Lane's only son in the main DC Universe. Like his comic book counterpart, Superman & Lois' Jonathan Kent is named after Clark's adoptive father. Meanwhile, the idea of Lois and Clark having a second son named Jordan is an idea exclusive to the CW show. Jordan Kent is cleverly named after Jor-El, Clark's biological father from the planet Krypton.
However, while Jonathan shares a name with DC's comic book Superboy, it's actually Jordan who is shown to have inherited their father's powers. The Kent brothers are also depicted as having starkly contrasting personalities, with Jonathan being athletic and outgoing, whereas Jordan is socially anxious and tends to keep to himself.
Source: Variety