One of the staffers in the writers room of The CW’s upcoming “Superman and Lois” series recently tweeted about her experience working for the show. Said staffer says she was recently let go from the production and suggests there are problems.
The various ‘Arrowverse’ series on the network have had a mostly quite good record with representation. On the one hand all of producer Greg Berlanti’s shows have been lauded for strong levels of inclusion onscreen from plenty of LGBT characters (often played by openly LGBT actors) portrayed with nuance, having the first trans superhero character on the air, and making plenty of key characters people of color (POC).
On the other hand they’ve been hit by some nasty behind-the-scenes issues ranging from producer Andrew Kreisberg being fired for sexual harassment allegations, to “The Flash” actor Hartley Sawyer being fired after old racist and misogynist tweets he posted surfaced.
Now, “Superman and Lois” writer Nadria Tucker says on Twitter that she blames her outspokenness about story issues with female and POC characters that led to her dismissal. She says she got word last Wednesday that her contract on the show wouldn’t be renewed. She explains:
“Wednesday I got word that my contract on Superman and Lois won’t be extended, my services no longer needed, my outline and draft subpar (obviously I disagree with that last bit lol).
This, after months of me flagging #metoo jokes in dialogue, of me defending the Bechdel test, of me FIGHTING to ensure the only Black faces on screen aren’t villains, of me pitching stories for female characters (there’s one in the title of the series!) that went ignored.
If I sound bitter, it’s because this one stings. I’ve been assured by colleagues that I was great in the room, so I know I’m not nuts. I debated whether to post this but my own mental wellbeing demands that I do. The only way shit changes is to expose it.”
Neither the producers or The CW have issued a statement in reaction as yet. No real footage from the upcoming series has been released to date beyond the odd shot in a compilation reel. “Superman and Lois” is due to premiere next year.
