Milly Alcock set to portray Supergirl said in recent comments that Kara Zor-El can “go both ways,” positioning the character’s identity as potentially queer within the upcoming standalone film. The remarks arrived as wider entertainment updates included new performers for the BET Awards, a new Vivienne Medrano animated feature, and milestones across TV and film. Last update: June 23, 2026.
Alcock’s framing matters because it adds momentum to ongoing debates about queer representation in superhero franchises, where explicit LGBTQ+ leads remain limited. Her view aligns Supergirl’s outsider narrative with a queer-coded reading, without declaring canon, and signals a character-first approach in a film described as focused on Kara without a romantic subplot.
Milly Alcock’s view of Kara Zor-El and queer coding
Alcock said her version of Kara “could go both ways,” explaining that the character’s independence and refusal to conform support a queer reading. She referenced her experience with queer roles and friends as context for understanding Kara’s perspective and emphasized that her Supergirl “does what she wants,” challenging binary, heteronormative expectations. This ties Supergirl’s alien outsider status to a relatable lens for audiences who identify with difference.
While Alcock clarified that her interpretation is not canonical, she endorsed the perspective personally and acknowledged that fans have long read prior portrayals—such as Melissa Benoist’s TV version—through a queer lens. The forthcoming standalone film centering solely on Kara, described as avoiding a romance arc, supports a character-driven path that could explore identity without defaulting to conventional superhero love stories.
What’s new since the first report
Since initial coverage, additional details underscored that the Supergirl film is built around Kara’s journey rather than pairing her with a partner, reinforcing Alcock’s focus on autonomy. The discussion has also broadened to the industry gap in explicit LGBTQ+ leads in major superhero films, positioning this Supergirl as a potential inflection point even if queerness remains interpretive rather than textually confirmed. Fans continue to anticipate whether future appearances will develop this thread.
The broader entertainment slate around Alcock also expanded. Vivienne Medrano, known for Hazbin Hotel, is writing and directing an original musical animated feature titled Prehistoria separate from her existing universe. The BET Awards announced performers including Cardi BDoechiiKehlani and Queen Latifah adding star power to the show’s live lineup.
Industry moments and cultural snapshots
Brittany Snow and Malin Åkerman drew attention with a kiss at the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, an event that also featured a performance by Meg Stalter. The moment fed into a night of overt queer celebration that matched the ceremony’s tone. Rosie O’Donnell joined the roster of rotating guest hosts for Jimmy Kimmel Live! during the show’s summer break, bringing her signature cadence to the late-night slot.
On television, The Bear approached its final season, with Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White reflecting on favorite moments from production, spotlighting the series’ creative arc as it nears its endpoint. House of the Dragon returned with the high-stakes “Battle of the Gullet,” leaning into large-scale action alongside political maneuvering. The UK reality series I Kissed a Girl released its season two trailer, previewing new contestants and a mix of drama, romance, and self-discovery.
Queer narratives in film and personal testimony
Hayley Kiyoko’s feature Girls Like Girls arrived, extending her music-to-film story of queer adolescence into a full-length narrative aimed at mainstream audiences. The film’s release added to a cycle of projects foregrounding LGBTQ+ themes across mediums, complementing Alcock’s remarks about interpretive space around iconic heroes. Influencer and author Gigi Gorgeous shared advice to her younger self, emphasizing self-acceptance and resilience, reinforcing visibility beyond scripted storytelling.
Together, these developments chart a snapshot of an entertainment landscape where queer-coded readings, explicit LGBTQ+ stories, and industry choices intersect. Alcock’s framing of Kara centers agency and difference as core traits, while adjacent updates—from Medrano’s Prehistoria to live award performances—trace how studios, shows, and artists are positioning identity and autonomy at the forefront of contemporary culture.
