The Australian actress says Supergirl’s flaws and trauma make the character more relatable to audiences.
Milly Alcock has admitted she is frightened by the prospect of becoming a role model after taking on the lead role in the new DC Universe film Supergirl.
The 26-year-old Australian actress, who portrays Kara Zor-El in the recently released superhero movie, said she feels uneasy about being idolised by fans despite the growing popularity of the character.
Speaking to SFX magazine, Alcock acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing one of DC Comics’ most recognisable heroes.
“No. Absolutely not. S***-scared!” Alcock said when asked if she was prepared to be idolised. “I think it’s because I know all of me. You guys only know a certain part and that’s a frightening thing, to be met with that.”
Despite her concerns, the actress believes audiences will connect with Supergirl because of the character’s imperfections and personal struggles.
“She’s someone who’s suffered a lot of trauma. She’s gone through a lot and she’s been at war with herself, which is something a lot of people can relate to,” Alcock said.
The actress described Supergirl as unconventional and unapologetic, adding that the character’s refusal to strive for perfection could resonate with viewers.
“She’s not trying to be perfect. I think that’s very refreshing for audiences,” Alcock explained. “It can be really exhausting, having role models thrust upon us. It’s more about realising what you can control within your inner life, because the outer life is chaos.”
Alcock, who rose to international fame through HBO’s House of the Dragon, was personally selected for the role by DC Studios co-chief James Gunn. She revealed that portraying Supergirl helped her see similarities between herself and the character.
“I had an interesting relationship with playing her. It was kinda meta,” she said. “Her inability or want to be a hero… and then her resolve. I think I surprisingly saw a lot of myself.”
The actress also discussed one of the film’s unique challenges: learning to speak Kryptonian, the fictional language associated with Superman’s home planet.
According to Alcock, the process involved first memorising the dialogue in English before translating it into the made-up language until it became second nature.
“Make it like a muscle memory,” she said. “And then, voila!”
The new Supergirl film marks a major step in the rebooted DC Universe and places Alcock at the centre of one of the franchise’s most anticipated projects.
