The world of superhero cinema is abuzz with speculation about the sexuality of one of DC’s most beloved characters, Supergirl. Milly Alcock, the Australian actress set to portray Kara Zor-El in the upcoming Supergirl film, has sparked a wave of excitement by hinting at the character’s queer potential. This comes as no surprise, given the character’s long history of queer-coded interpretations and fan speculation.
Alcock’s comments have reignited discussions about Supergirl’s sexuality, which has been a topic of interest for decades. From her debut in 1959 to her various portrayals in comics and television, Kara Zor-El has often been read as a queer icon. The latest iteration of the character, played by Alcock, seems poised to embrace this aspect of her identity more openly than ever before.
Supergirl’s Queer Legacy
The idea of a queer Supergirl is not new. Fans have long speculated about the sexuality of Kara Zor-El, with many interpreting her as queer-coded. The CW’s Supergirl TV series, which aired from 2015 to 2026 and starred Melissa Benoist, was often accused of queerbaiting for its hints at a romantic relationship between Kara and Lena Luthor. Despite featuring a trans hero and an openly lesbian character, the show never explicitly confirmed the relationship, leaving fans wanting more.
In the world of comics, Supergirl has had several queer relationships in alternate universes. In DC Bombshells set in an alternative 1940s era, Supergirl dates Lois Lane. In another alternate reality, she is in a relationship with Wonder Woman. These interpretations have fueled fan theories and hopes for a more explicit queer representation of the character.
Milly Alcock’s Interpretation
Milly Alcock, known for her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon brings a fresh perspective to the character of Supergirl. In interviews promoting the new film, Alcock has spoken about her tendency to play queer-coded characters and her interpretation of Supergirl’s sexuality. She has hinted that Kara Zor-El ‘probably goes both ways,’ sparking excitement among fans.
When asked about why Supergirl has been embraced as a queer icon, Alcock replied, ‘I’ve played a few characters that might have a potential queer throughline. I have many queer friends, so honestly I’m kind of honoured.’ She also mentioned that she reads the Supergirl character as queer-coded, albeit in an unlabelled kind of way. ‘I kind of thought that as well. I was like, she’d do what she wants to do in that regard,’ she said.
Alcock’s comments reflect a broader shift in how studios approach representation in superhero films. Rather than ignoring or denying queer subtext, studios are now explicitly validating fan theories and embracing the queer potential of their characters. This approach is not only a nod to the character’s rich history but also a response to the growing demand for more diverse and inclusive representation in media.
The Future of Supergirl
Whether or not Alcock’s Supergirl will have a romantic storyline in the future remains to be seen. However, the excitement and speculation surrounding the character’s queer potential are a testament to the power of representation in media. Fans have long hoped for a more explicit queer representation of Supergirl, and Alcock’s comments suggest that this hope may soon be realized.
As the new Supergirl film prepares for its release, the conversation about the character’s sexuality is likely to continue. With so much speculation to date and all those alternate-reality queer interpretations, it feels like the time is nigh for a more explicit queer representation of Kara Zor-El. For now, fans will have to keep turning to fan analysis and speculation to tide them over, but the future looks bright for Supergirl and her queer potential.
