the CWs Superman and Lois was renewed for a fourth season earlier this week, but will return with a reduced episode order and smaller cast.
Conformable deadline, only five of the 12 main cast members will return for the 10-episode fourth season. Returning are Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as the title characters, Michael Bishop and Alex Garfin as their children, and Michael Cudlitz (promoted to guest star status) as Lex Luthor.
The seven actors leaving as series regulars are Dylan Walsh, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Erik Valdez, Inde Navarrette, Wolé Parks, Tayler Buck and Sofia Hasmik. In any case, deadline reports that the hope is that these actors will reprise their guest/recurring star roles next season.
Walsh, Chriqui, Valdez, Parks, and Navarrette have been part of the show since it premiered on February 23, 2021. Buck was a guest star in the first season before her promotion to series regular, while Hasmik was a recurring character in the first season. before becoming a main character in season 2.
Superman and Lois was renewed earlier this week alongside a fellow CW All American: Homecoming, which also had its episode count reduced. This comes as the network’s new owners Nexstar look to cut costs and make The CW profitable.
In addition to cutting plaster, deadline reports that the superhero drama will likely lean more heavily on the family drama premise in its fourth season to cut down on expensive special effects.
Developed by Greg Berlanti and Todd Helbing and based on DC Comics characters, Superman and Lois follows Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane as they return to Smallville with their sons Jonathan and Jordan. Despite their hopes for a peaceful family life, things are thrown into chaos by a series of villains and strange happenings.
Superman and LoisSeason 4, TBA, The CW