The first season of the American television series Supergirl, which is based on the DC Comics character Supergirl / Kara Zor-El, a costumed superheroine who is the cousin to Superman and one of the last surviving Kryptonians. Supergirl was ordered to series in May 2015, and later picked up for a full season in November 2015, with filming taking place primarily in Los Angeles. Melissa Benoist stars in the titular role, and is joined by principal cast members Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Jeremy Jordan, David Harewood, and Calista Flockhart. The series premiere was watched by 12.96 million viewers, tied with NBC's Blindspot as the top-rated series premiere of the 2015–16 fall season. The season, which premiered on CBS on October 26, 2015, and ran until April 18, 2016, over 20 episodes, overall received positive reviews. The series was renewed for a second season on May 12, 2016, and moved to The CW. Episodes Cast and characters Main Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers / Supergirl Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers Jeremy Jordan as Winslow "Winn" Schott, Jr. David Harewood as J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter and Hank Henshaw Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant Recurring Laura Benanti as Astra In-Ze and Alura Zor-El Dean Cain as Jeremiah Danvers Jenna Dewan-Tatum as Lucy Lane Peter Facinelli as Maxwell Lord Brit Morgan as Leslie Willis / Livewire Glenn Morshower as Sam Lane Italia Ricci as Siobhan Smythe / Silver Banshee Helen Slater as Eliza Danvers Chris Vance as Non Laura Vandervoort as Indigo Briana Venskus as Vasquez Guest The hosts of The Talk, Sara Gilbert, Julie Chen, Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler and Sheryl Underwood, cameo as themselves. Production Development By September 2014, Warner Bros. Television was looking to create a television series centered around Kara Zor-El / Supergirl. Executive producers for the series include Greg Berlanti (also a creator/producer for Arrow and The Flash), Ali Adler, who were both writing the script, and Berlanti Productions' Sarah Schechter. DC Comics' Geoff Johns was also expected to be part of the project. Titles under consideration for the series included Super and Girl. Berlanti confirmed the show shortly after, and stated it was in development and had yet to be pitched to networks. On September 20, it was announced that CBS had landed Supergirl with a series commitment, with an expected premiere in 2015 of the 2015–16 television season.