Jimmy Olsen is becoming a superhero in his own right thanks to 'Supergirl'

Move over, Man of Steel.
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LOS ANGELES -- James "Jimmy" Olsen may be best known for playing sidekick to his pal Superman in DC Comics canon, but in Supergirl this season, the intrepid photographer -- played by Mehcad Brooks -- will decide that he doesn't want his Superfriends to have all the crime-fighting fun.

"James is going to decide that he can no longer sit back and be a sidekick, so he’s going to decide to become a vigilante -- he’s going to become Guardian, complete with the shield," Supergirl executive producer Andrew Kreisberg told reporters at a Tuesday screening.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In the comics, Guardian was Jim Harper, a cop turned vigilante with no super powers who wielded an indestructible shield. A character called Jim Harper was introduced in Season 1 of Supergirl, but he apparently won't be donning the shield.


You May Also Like

James' new alter-ego will cause "a massive problem" in his relationship with Kara (Melissa Benoist), Kreisberg said, because he's decided not to tell her, at least initially. And we all know how well secrets work in superhero shows.

"Now there’s this new masked vigilante, and she has her own feelings about vigilantes, and it becomes a push and pull about who gets to decide who gets to be a hero," Kreisberg said.

Kara might not approve, but another member of Team Supergirl is definitely on board with James' transformation: Winn (Jeremy Jordan), who also underwent a big change in Season 2 when he left CatCo for a job at the DEO.

"Winn is his man in the van," Kreisberg teased. "He takes this job at the DEO and then is lying to everyone about how he's spending his nights because he's going out with James."

Supergirl airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW.

Topics The CW

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Jimmy Kimmel gives Trump a special thanks during Critics Choice Awards speech
A man in a tux stands on an awards show stage in front of the microphone, while two women laugh in the background.

Jimmy Kimmel urges right to act after second deadly ICE shooting: 'How does this end?'
Jimmy Kimmel on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' with quote overlaid: "Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse who treated veterans, which is about as patriotic I think as it gets."

Jimmy Kimmel responds to Trump and the right's reaction to Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage. Text at the bottom of the screen is taken from a Truth Social post from Donald Trump.

Jimmy Kimmel hits back after getting called out on right-wing media
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage with his arms gesturing wide.


More in Entertainment
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 4, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!