Fans of the Kent family have good reason to rejoice today. According to Deadline, The CW has renewed Superman and Lois for an abbreviated fourth season. Also returning for another season is All-American: Homecoming. In normal times, a renewal for Superman and Lois would be a no-brainer, as it’s one of CW’s better-performing shows. But with The CW shifting away from original scripted programming under its new management, the fate of the series was very much up in the air.
However, Superman and Lois’ good news comes along with some bad news for another DC Comics-related series, Gotham Knights. That series is ending after only one short season. This leaves Superman and Lois as the final DC Comics-related series on the CW, which has been home to eight series based on DC properties, with six of them occupying the Arrowverse. All series, including this one, were produced by Greg Berlanti. Superman and Lois is only tangentially related to the Arrowverse. Both Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch originated their roles in episodes of Supergirl, but these versions exist on a separate Earth in the Multiverse.
Things will be different for Superman and Lois in season four, however. The network has reduced the episode count from 13 to 10. It reduced the budget as well, which likely means fewer fights in tights and big effects and more family drama. It might also mean they might reduce the rather large cast due to budgetary concerns. According to TV Line, seven series regulars have been cut: Dylan Walsh, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Erik Valdez, Inde Navarrette, Wolé Parks, Tayler Buck, and Sofia Hasmik. This leaves only four series regulars returning for Superman and Lois season four. These are Tyler Hoechlin (as Clark Kent/Superman), Elizabeth Tulloch (as Lois Lane) and Alex Garfin and Michael Bishop as the duos twin sons, Jordan and Jonathan Kent. Michael Cudlitz, who will play Lex Luthor, will become a season regular as well.
With the WGA strike in full effect, it might be some time before production begins on season four. Given that this will likely be the show’s swan song season, here’s hoping they do the Smallville crew justice.
Originally published on June 13, 2023.