Summary

• Jordan Elsass originally played the role of Superman and Lois' son, Jonathan Kent.
• Elsass unexpectedly left the show due to personal issues, with Michael Bishop replacing him in the role.
• Jonathan Kent's character development involves finding his place in the family and finding other ways to be heroic despite lacking powers.

Superman & Lois is easily The CW's best-received DC Comics adaptation in years. Unconstrained by the network's (now former) Arrowverse, the series has been able to tell stories in the way that it wants. The heart of that story is the Kent family, and its relationships, namely between brothers Jonathan and Jordan Kent, the former of whom was ironically played by Jordan Elsass.

Unfortunately, that dynamic was bound to change following the departure of Jonathan Kent, announced unexpectedly in August 2022, months ahead of the Season 3 premiere. This left many fans wondering why Jordan Elsass left Superman & Lois. He's since been replaced in the role by The Orville actor Michael Bishop, but it's still worth looking at Jonathan Kent's arc up until then, and the reasons behind the young actor's exit.

Updated on April 16, 2024 by Joshua M. Patton: Superman & Lois was on the bubble for cancelation with a change of ownership at The CW and James Gunn taking over at DC Studios. Thankfully, the series was renewed for a final, 10-episode season, though there was a drastic reduction in the show's regular cast. However, with Jordan Elsass departing Superman & Lois at the end of season 2, cast changes are not new for the show. This article has been updated to comport to CBR's current formatting standards.

Who Is Jonathan Kent On Superman & Lois?

Originally played by Jordan Elsass, Jonathan Kent is one of the twin sons of Clark Kent and Lois Lane in Superman & Lois. He's only loosely based on Superman's son in current DC comic-book continuity. Jonathan and his brother, Jordan, are named after Clark's adoptive and biological fathers (his human father, Jonathan Kent, and his biological father, Jor-El). In fact, the human name Jordan Elliot was once used by a powerless Superman in the comic book Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow.

The "splitting" of the boys into two separate characters certainly fits, as the boys couldn't be more different. Jonathan is outgoing and assertive, while Jordan is more reserved and struggles with anxiety disorders. Despite that, Jordan inherited superpowers, and even used them to excel at football, Jonathan's former domain. That role reversal briefly caused a rift between the brothers. Jordan Elsass not only played Jonathan but also a Bizarro World version in another dimension. That analog went by the name Jon-El, similar to Kon-El, the human/Kryptonian clone of Superman from the comics.

In the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths take on DC Comics continuity, Kon-El was the only Superboy, with the idea of Superman's time using that name as a child hero erased entirely. In the show, Jonathan even wore a costume that resembled that incarnation of Superboy, who was known for his stylish hair and matching leather jacket. In this world, Jon-El was the one who developed powers, becoming a celebrity alongside the rest of his family. This storyline in the show's second season was the last to feature Jordan Elsass in Superman & Lois, with the following season introducing a major change in the cast through his replacement.

What Did Jordan Elsass Do Before Superman & Lois?

Before starring in Superman & Lois, Jordan Elsass' acting career began in 2014 with the TV miniseries Keepin' It Weird TV. This sketch comedy series featured the young actor in numerous roles, with him comedically playing a father figure in multiple episodes. He's also credited as one of the writers for the series. From there, he continued to play parts in short films and in smaller roles in movies and TV shows. One of these was the 2016 movie Reagan: From Movie Star to President, wherein he played former President Ronald Reagan during his teenage years.

That same year, Jordan Elsass portrayed the character Dylan Davies in the movie Forward, which he also produced. The movie was about a reporter who tries to uncover the truth behind a rash of disappearances in a small town. One of his more notable roles was that of Trip Richardson, a character in the Hulu dream series Little Fires Everywhere. Trip was portrayed as a jock, which actually made him something of a precursor to the characterization of Jon Kent in Superman & Lois. Still, the role as Jonathan Kent was easily the actor's breakout role, but he eventually stepped away from the DC Comics adaptation that helped cement his rising star.

Why Jordan Elsass Quit Superman & Lois

In early August 2022, news broke that Jordan Elsass wouldn't return for any more episodes of Superman & Lois. Many wondered what happened to Jordan Elsass, especially since he was such a pivotal character in the series. Warner Bros. TV was notified by Elsass himself, who cited a need to deal with personal issues. Fame is both a gift and a curse, especially when it comes from a passionate fandom like those who love DC Comics' stories. As 2023's writers and actors strikes proved the business is hard to navigate as well.

Online speculation about Elsass' departure was swiftly ended by the actor in a Cameo video. "It's been a tough few weeks, as you might imagine, everything going on with the show," Jordan Elsass said in the video, shared Aug. 22, 2022, on Twitter. "It's been a tough few weeks. [...] You know, it's sad. It's a shame. I know that I was pumped for Season 3, for certain. You know, what are you going to do? [...] Mental health is 100 percent a priority. There's no question that that is a priority. It's been a goal. It's gotta take precedence."

Jordan Elsass referenced a need to take time for himself as his reason for leaving, even raising the possibility that he might take a break from acting altogether. As mentioned, Michael Bishop replaced him in the Superman & Lois cast. Now, fans are eagerly awaiting Superman & Lois Season 4, which is set to release in the fall of 2024. It will be the final season of the series. Since leaving Superman & Lois, Jordan Elsass has stayed out of the public eye. Given the character's importance, this means that Michael Bishop will continue to play Jonathan Kent on the show until it ends, which will likely be around the time that Superman: Legacy flies into theaters.

How Did Jordan Elsass Leaving Affect The Kent Brothers' Dynamic?

Jordan Elsass's Upcoming Projects

Jon's current character development in Superman & Lois involves him trying to find his place in the family, with his brother Jordan being the one to develop powers like their father. In Season 2, Jonathan uses a drug based on the kryptonite variant in Smallville's caves (a big plot point in Season 1) to temporarily gain abilities. Though he shook that addiction. Despite lacking powers of his own, Jon is seemingly finding other ways to be heroic. Working at the fire department on the weekends under Kyle Cushing, he's now able to follow in his father's footsteps in his own, mortal way. Likewise, he and his brother both had to grapple with their mother Lois' cancer diagnosis.

Currently, Jordan Elsass has two post-Superman & Lois projects scheduled for release. The first of these is a movie titled Poets Never Die, which is currently in pre-production and features him in a starring role. There's also the TV movie Billy and the Bandit, where Jordan Elsass plays the title character. The movie is an adventure film in which Billy, a person with a mobility disability, is able to experience the days of the Old West with his grandfather. It's currently in post-production, meaning that fans of Jordan Elsass will be able to see more of him soon.

Superman & Lois returns for a fourth and final season on The CW in Fall 2024.