Yes, you read that right: Superman & Lois has been renewed for season 4 at The CW. Though the show’s future was in limbo as the network decided between renewing either Superman & Lois or Gotham Knights, Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Clark Kent/the Man of Steel and Elizabeth Tulloch’s depiction of the famous Lois Lane eventually won the battle.
As a result, Superman & Lois is the last DC show left standing on the network, as the Arrowverse officially ended with The Flash‘s season 9 finale in 2023, and Gotham Knights was canceled after one season. It will also, however, be the final superhero show on the CW, as Superman & Lois season 4 will be the final season.
The CW, recently purchased by Nexstar, is changing its programming rather dramatically. This is partially a response to last year’s Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, as well as a change in the network’s overall strategy. Only four of the scripted shows that aired on The CW during the 2022/2023 season have been renewed. As such, while Superman & Lois is coming back for a fourth and final season, audiences should expect some significant changes to the show, too.
Here’s everything you need to know about Superman & Lois season 4.
When will Superman & Lois season 4 premiere?
It’s currently unclear when Superman & Lois season 4 will premiere. While the show has been officially renewed, the WGA strike had only just been resolved when it was renewed, so this may have delayed the process. Previous seasons have all started at the beginning of a new year—season 3 premiered in March 2023, while season 2 debuted in January 2022, and season 1 premiered in February 2021. Whether or not the new season will premiere around a similar date in 2024 remains to be seen. A late 2024 or early 2025 release date is a possibility.
Which Superman & Lois cast members will return in season 4?
While the renewal of Superman & Lois for season 4 is wonderful, some series regular cast members will not be returning to the show for its fourth outing. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch remain unaffected (they are the titular characters, after all), but of a total of 12 series regulars from season 3, a slim total of four are returning, including Hoechlin, Tulloch, Alex Garfin, who plays Jordan Kent, and Michael Bishop, who replaced Jordan Elsass as Jonathan Kent in season 3. We’d expect other important characters, like the Cushings and the Irons family to appear, too, but in a reduced capacity.
The reduced cast list comes as a result of hefty budget cuts reportedly needed to keep the show afloat, but Deadline also reported that cast options were set to expire, which likely influenced this decision, too. The show’s writers room, similarly, has suffered from the cuts, losing three of its eight writers.
Interestingly enough, however, it has been confirmed that The Flash and Arrowverse alum Tom Cavanagh will play a part in the Superman & Lois season 4 finale (via TV Line). Previously, Cavanagh played several roles in the Arrowverse universe, including Harrison Wells, scientist and mentor to Team Flash, Barry Allen’s nemesis, the Reverse Flash/Eobard Thawne, as well as several Harrison Wells doppelgangers from other Earths. Though Superman & Lois has worked hard to distance itself from the Arrowverse, despite the appearance of an alternate John Diggle (David Ramsey), Cavanagh’s casting is sure to produce a whole new set of theories.
How many episodes will Superman & Lois season 4 have?
In addition to a smaller regular cast and a smaller writers room, Superman & Lois season 4 will also feature fewer episodes. The new season has been given a 10-episode order, shorter than previous outings. Seasons 1 and 2 had 15 episodes each, while season 3 had 13 episodes.
What will Superman & Lois season 4 be about?
Lex Luthor is expected to play a large role in Superman & Lois season 4. Superman & Lois‘ version of Lex Luthor is portrayed by The Walking Dead alum Michael Cudlitz. As reported by Deadline, executive producers and co-showrunners Todd Helbing and Brent Fletcher had this to say of season 4’s storyline: “We’re thrilled about what we have in store in our final season, and can’t wait for everyone to watch as Superman, Lois and all our heroes face off against the biggest threat in the show’s history—Lex Luthor.” We’d expect Lois’s recent cancer diagnosis to continue to play a part in season 4, as well.
It may take a while, but Superman & Lois‘ final season will surely be worth the wait.
(featured image: The CW)
