Following its renewal for a fourth season running a shorter ten episodes, The CW’s “Superman & Lois” has set its returning cast members with only five series regulars next year.
Specifically, Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch will return as the title characters, whilst fellow series regulars Michael Bishop and Alex Garfin will be back as their children Jonathan and Jordan, respectively.
The only returnee in a regular capacity is Michael Cudlitz who portrays Lex Luthor. Cudlitz guest stars in the final two episodes of the third season which air June 20th and 27th. In the fourth season, he’s a full regular across all ten episodes.
No longer regulars are the likes of Dylan Walsh (General Lane), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Lana Lang), Erik Valdez (Kyle Cortez), and Wole Parks (John Henry Irons) who have been with the show since the pilot. Also out are Inde Navarrette (Sarah Cortez), Tayler Buck (Natalie Irons) and Sofia Hasmik (Chrissy Bepo).
The hope is for the seven to guest star/recur next season, reprising their roles – subject to interest on their part and availability. Cast reductions have become a norm amid industrywide belt-tightening and declining linear ratings.
The renewals of both “Superman & Lois” and “All American: Homecoming” came with significant budget cuts – notably reducing the number of regulars and trimming the episode count along with a potential reduction in action scenes involving FX as it leans more into its family drama roots.
Source: Deadline
