In a recent appearance at Fan Expo Philadelphia, Superman & Lois actress Bitsie Tulloch discussed why she feels the show stands out in a sea of other Superman adaptations. Along with Tulloch, the series starred Tyler Hoechlin as a slightly older Superman, while their sons, Jonathan and Jordan, were played by Michael Bishop and Alex Garfin, respectively. As a result, Superman & Lois focused more on how Lois and Clark would adapt to the challenges of parenthood, cancer, and other more realistic life problems.
During a moderated by Screen Rant's Joe Deckelmeier called "Being Super With The Cast Of Superman & Lois," Tulloch explained: "Even in the pilot episode, it just was so grounded, and, you know, we had the benefit and the luck and grace of being parents to teenagers." She then pointed out how "especially [in] season one" the show focused "on Jordan's social anxiety disorder" and another heavy topic such as Lois miscarrying. The actress said that these choices "made [her] think, 'Okay, these are these iconic superhero characters, but it's very relatable.'"
Tulloch also emphasized how Superman & Lois wasn't "afraid of going to heavy places, like with Lois's cancer arc in season three." Because the show was "different" from other superhero series, she felt it was "going to have an imprint going forward." The actress concluded:
Because if you just go back, I mean, if you never see Superman & Lois, then that's different, but if you've seen it, and then you go back to like a very comic-y version, I feel like maybe you're gonna feel like there's something missing, which is the relatability of these two characters, like, they could be my neighbors."
What Bitsie Tulloch's Superman & Lois Comments Mean
Superman & Lois Charted New Territory For Clark Kent In Television
Tulloch's comments are best considered when factoring in the various live-action Superman television series. The George Reeves era was largely based on maintaining the status quo of Clark's secret identity, with little exploration of his private life. The first series to really get into Clark's drama and love life was Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, which followed an early-career Superman wooing and eventually marrying Lois Lane. Four years after its conclusion, Smallville began with the intention of following a teenage Clark Kent and a young adult Lex Luthor to show a new perspective on his origin.
DC, I'm Begging You To Stop Making Superman's Saddest Lois Lane Story Even Worse
Superman & Lois keeps making Lois Lane's life harder and harder. Before the series ends, I genuinely hope that DC will give this poor woman a break.
Ultimately, that series reached Clark's young adulthood and crossed over into similar territory to Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Though the latter show did see Clark and Lois have a baby, Superman & Lois was the first to show the couple raising teenagers. Combining that plot element with the unique challenges of married life and storylines that only make sense with a late-career Superman created a distinctive show. As such, Tulloch's statements are accurate because the series takes place in a part of Clark's life that hadn't been mined before.
Our Take On Bitsie Tulloch's Superman & Lois Comments
Superman & Lois Took Advantage Of Its Premise
To say that Superman & Lois is less comic book-y than other Superman series isn't accurate; however, it is unique in that it blends realistic struggles that a married couple with teenagers might experience. Tulloch is right in that Superman & Lois occupies a niche where few Superman adaptations live.
- Showrunner
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