The fourth and final season of the American television series Superman & Lois premiered on The CW. The series is based on the DC Comics characters Superman and Lois Lane created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The season was produced by Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
| Superman & Lois | |
|---|---|
| Season 4 | |
 Original poster | |
| Showrunner | Todd Helbing |
| Starring |
|
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Release | |
| Original network | The CW |
| Original release | October 7, 2024 – present |
| Season chronology | |
The series stars Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as the titular characters, Clark Kent / Superman, a costumed superhero, and his wife, Lois Lane, a reporter. Also returning are main cast members Alex Garfin, Michael Bishop, Dylan Walsh, Inde Navarrette, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Wolé Parks, Tayler Buck, Erik Valdez, and Sofia Hasmik. Michael Cudlitz stars in the season as Lex Luthor. Superman & Lois was renewed for its fourth and final season in June 2023.
The season premiered on October 7, 2024.[1]
Episodes
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title [2] | Directed by | Written by [3] | Original air date [2] | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 1 | "The End & The Beginning" | Gregory Smith | Brent Fletcher & Todd Helbing | October 7, 2024 | 0.45[4] | |
|
Lex Luthor purchases a hotel in Smallville as his new base of operations and continues to harass the Kents, angered by how he was wrongfully imprisoned due to Lois incorrectly implicating him in the murder of Boss Moxie. Jordan rescues Sam from Luthor and his subordinates Otis Grisham and Gretchen Kelley (who reveals that Gretchen is not her real name). Superman and Doomsday's battle reaches its climax when Doomsday apparently kills Superman, delivering his heart to Luthor while presenting his corpse to the Kents. Luthor places the heart in a specialized box created by LuthorCorp worker Milton Fine. Meanwhile, Luthor and his associate Amanda McCoy track the former's estranged daughter Elizabeth. After hearing about Sam's rescue, Luthor advises Otis and "Gretchen" to lay low for awhile. Flashbacks show the early days of Lois's relationship with Clark and her original fight to have Luthor incarcerated, which he believes was an attempt to stop him from searching for kryptonite to use against Superman. | |||||||
| 45 | 2 | "A World Without" | Sudz Sutherland | Katie Aldrin & Kristi Korzec | October 7, 2024 | 0.47[4] | |
|
As Lana Lang prevents the crowd from approaching Superman's body, Jordan takes his body to the Fortress where Lara places him in stasis. Smallville mourns Superman's death, though some residents such as Denise Olowe begin deducing his identity. Hoping to revive his father, Jordan attempts to locate Superman's heart and confronts Luthor during a meeting with LuthorCorp member Sebastien "Bash" Mallory. Luthor calls his bluff and realizes that Superman and Clark were the same man. That night, Jonathan sneaks into Luthor's hotel to try and locate the heart while Sarah tries to stall Luthor. Jordan tracks the heart to a shipping yard, but Luthor arrives, incapacitating him and destroying the heart. Luthor then calls Lois and tells her to choose which son will live, though he ultimately lets Jordan go while Lana locates and escorts Jonathan home. While having the real heart in his possession, McCoy tells Luthor that Sam arranged for Elizabeth to go into hiding. The Kents go to the Fortress to mourn Superman's death, where Lara reveals a farewell gift from Clark: an AI hologram of himself he created in case of his demise. | |||||||
| 46 | 3 | "Always My Hero" | David Giuntoli | Brent Fletcher & Todd Helbing | October 14, 2024 | 0.43[5] | |
|
Sam recruits John and Natalie to the DOD's Squad K and asks General Hardcastle for the serum that Bruno Mannheim used to resurrect Bizarro. Lois publishes a report about Superman's death, leading to an argument between the twins during which Jonathan's powers manifest. Lois informs Sam and Jonathan agrees to undergo training. Luthor visits Jordan and replays Lois's phone call, revealing that she chose to save Jonathan. Jordan accuses her of favoring Jonathan and wrongfully sending Luthor to prison. Luthor coerces Squad K member Jonell Jones into getting Elizabeth's location from Sam, but Sam refuses and is shot, prompting Luthor to send Doomsday. Sam injects himself with the serum while John and Natalie delay Doomsday, who ultimately snaps Sam's neck. Returning home, Natalie plays a farewell message from Sam for the Kents while John flies Sam's body to the Fortress and has Lara transfer his heart to Clark, which should revive him thanks to the serum. Later, the Kents and Irons hold a memorial service for Sam while Superman awakens. Flashbacks show Clark and Lois revealing to Sam that Clark is Superman and Sam's apprehension to give Clark his blessing to marry Lois. | |||||||
| 47 | 4 | "A Perfectly Good Wedding" | Gregory Smith | George Kitson & Max Kronick | October 21, 2024 | 0.48[6] | |
|
Clark returns home, though he crashes while flying with Jonathan and realizes that he has less strength and stamina. Jordan overhears "Gretchen" expressing doubt over her allegiance to Luthor. Lois identifies her as Cheryl Kimble and is brought to her by Jonathan, where she implores her to turn on Luthor. Later, Jordan forgives Lois for the phone call. Meanwhile, Kyle and Chrissy plan their wedding and ask Clark and Lois to be their best man and maid of honor. Chrissy's mother arrives and worries that her daughter is only marrying Kyle because she is pregnant. After talking with Sarah and Lois, Chrissy realizes that she does not know much about Kyle, though she does still love him. At the ceremony, Jonathan leaves to stop a fire in Metropolis and finds Cheryl being attacked by Hacksaw Kronick, a henchman of Luthor's. Superman rescues them and arranges for John to place Kronick in DOD custody, though Cheryl flees. Back home, Kyle and Chrissy decide to postpone their marriage and Jordan, wanting to step back from superheroics, gives Jonathan his suit. Later that night, media outlets begin reporting on Superman's return. | |||||||
| 48 | 5 | "Break the Cycle" | Elizabeth Henstridge | Adam Mallinger | October 28, 2024 | 0.43[7] | |
|
Upon returning to Smallville, Luthor is intercepted by Superman, who advises him to let go of his anger. With Superman unable to defeat Doomsday, Lois locates Elizabeth in France. Hoping she can dissuade Luthor, Jonathan flies Lois there, leaving Jordan to stall Candice. Elizabeth reluctantly meets Luthor in Smallville and reveals that she is six months pregnant. After speaking with Clark, Elizabeth agrees to accept Luthor back into her life provided he leaves the Kents alone. Luthor refuses and Elizabeth leaves, unwilling to expose her son to Luthor's hatred. Meanwhile, Candice sees through the twins' lies about Jonathan's whereabouts and threatens to leave when he refuses to tell her the truth. Jordan ultimately tells her, and she and Jonathan reconcile. Clark prepares to evacuate the Kents to the Fortress, but Lois reveals that she found the device used to summon Doomsday and convinced him to remember his family from the Inverse World. Back in Metropolis, McCoy reveals to Luthor that Doomsday has disappeared. Flashbacks show Luthor and his ex-wife Erica getting a divorce, his efforts to convince Elizabeth to stay with him, and Superman arresting him after he drops Elizabeth off at school. | |||||||
| 49 | 6 | "When the Lights Come On" | Ian Samoil | Teleplay by : Kristi Korzec Story by : Brent Fletcher & Todd Helbing | November 4, 2024 | 0.51[8] | |
|
Luthor plans to purchase land from Aidy Manning and threatens Lana into allowing him to build a new headquarters in Smallville, confusing McCoy and LuthorCorp. Lana and Clark convince Aidy to stop the sale, though they worry that she only agreed because she knows Clark's secret identity. At a local bar, Luthor offers Aidy and the other patrons $10 million each, but they refuse. Meanwhile, Jonathan begins overworking himself. Lois attempts to flip McCoy, revealing that Luthor cut ties with Elizabeth. Coach Gaines, aware of the twins' powers, attempts to recruit them for the football season. Jordan asks to work at the diner, puzzling Sarah, who envies his freedom to go anywhere. That night, Otis breaks into Lana's house and tries to strangle her, but is repelled by Sarah and taken to the DOD. Enraged, Clark confronts Luthor outside the hotel, but is depowered by red streetlights installed by Milton. With his family watching, Clark defeats Luthor in a fistfight and warns him to never return to Smallville. Sarah decides to study abroad, which Lana allows. Back in Metropolis, McCoy reaffirms her loyalty to Luthor and tells him that he needs a "killer suit". | |||||||
| 50 | 7 | "A Regular Guy" | Gregory Smith | Katie Aldrin & George Kitson | November 11, 2024 | 0.44[9] | |
|
Clark tries to prove to Smallville residents like Denise and Gaines that he is not Superman. Timmy Ryan confronts the twins over their powers, angered by how he couldn't compete with them on the football team. Clark and the twins then lie to Timmy's mother about their powers despite Timmy's insistence. Meanwhile, in order to afford a house, Chrissy considers selling her share of the Gazette. While having dinner with her, Kyle, and Clark, Lois decides to use her inheritance to buy Chrissy's share so they can continue working together. Candice's father Emmet enters and shoots Clark, wanting to expose his identity. After Kyle has Emmet arrested, the Kents learn that he learned Clark's identity from Luthor, not Candice. Realizing how much harm their secret is causing, the Kents decide to stop hiding it. The next morning, Janet Olsen of the Daily Planet interviews Clark and he publicly reveals his identity. No longer needing his glasses in public, he reconciles with Jimmy Olsen at the diner. Flashbacks show Clark joining the Daily Planet's softball team. Jimmy suspects Clark's true identity when his absences coincide with Superman's appearances, forcing Clark to distance himself in order to protect his secret. | |||||||
| 51 | 8 | "Sharp Dressed Man" | Michael Cudlitz | Brent Fletcher & Todd Helbing | November 18, 2024 | 0.35[10] | |
|
Lois learns that she is cancer-free while John and Natalie unknowingly rescue Milton from a staged car crash. LuthorCorp has Gordon Godfrey interview Luthor, who challenges Lois to a debate. John learns that Otis was found dead in his cell before he could testify against Luthor. He also runs tests on Clark and concludes that his powers are slowly fading. Meanwhile, Natalie struggles with her work-life balance. Candice breaks up with Jonathan, upset that people are stalking her because of his popularity. Jordan and Natalie convince him to meet her in-person, and they reconcile. At the interview, Luthor displays footage of Clark fighting him and Jonathan infiltrating his hotel. As Lois tries to call Elizabeth, Milton hacks John's and Natalie's suits and has them attack the Kents with John trapped inside the former. Superman breaks through the window to rescue John and incapacitate his suit while the twins destroy Natalie's. Later that night, Godfrey exposes Lois as Superman's wife and vilifies her. Luthor and McCoy share a kiss. Clark and Lois tell the twins about Clark's condition. Milton recovers John's suit and alters it for Luthor's use. | |||||||
| 52 | 9 | "To Live and Die Again" | Jai Jamison[11] | Jai Jamison | November 25, 2024 | TBD | |
| 53 | 10 | "It Went By So Fast"[12] | Gregory Smith | Brent Fletcher & Todd Helbing | December 2, 2024 | TBD | |
Cast and characters
editMain
edit- Tyler Hoechlin as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman[13][a]
- Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane[13][a]
- Alex Garfin as Jordan Kent / Superboy[13]
- Michael Bishop as Jonathan Kent[13][b]
- Erik Valdez as Kyle Cushing[14][c]
- Inde Navarrette as Sarah Cortez[15][c]
- Wolé Parks as John Henry Irons[14][c]
- Tayler Buck as Natalie Lane Irons[14][c]
- Sofia Hasmik as Chrissy Beppo[14][c]
- Dylan Walsh as Sam Lane[16][c]
- Emmanuelle Chriqui as Lana Lang[17][c]
- Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor[13][d]
Recurring
edit- Mariana Klaveno as Lara Lor-Van
- Yvonne Chapman as Amanda McCoy[18]
- Paul Lazenby as Doomsday
Guest
edit- Ryan Jefferson Booth as Otis Grisham
- Rebecca Staab as "Gretchen Kelley" / Cheryl Kimble
- Michele Scarabelli as Martha Kent
- Laara Sadiq as Mrs. Beppo
- Elizabeth Henstridge as Elizabeth Luthor[19]
- Natalie Moon as Erica Luthor
- Samantha Di Francesco as Candice Pergande
- Douglas Smith as Jimmy Olsen[20]
- Tom Cavanagh as Gordon Godfrey[21]
- Nikolai Witschl as Milton Fine
Production
editDevelopment
editIn June 2023, The CW renewed the series for a fourth season with a shortened 10 episode order.[22] That November, season four was confirmed to be the final season.[23] The special effects for the season were planned to be completed by mid-2024.[24]
Casting
editMain cast members Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Alex Garfin, and Michael Bishop return as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman, Lois Lane, Jordan Kent, and Jonathan Kent. Michael Cudlitz joins as a main cast member following his guest appearances as Lex Luthor in the previous season,[13] receiving "special appearance by" credit.[citation needed]
Shortly after the announcement of the fourth season, many of the supporting cast members were let go due to budget cuts but were given the option to guest star in the future. Walsh originally indicated that he would not be returning in any capacity,[13] but the Be More Super podcast later reported in December 2023 that he would return for two episodes,[16] while Chriqui also indicated that she would return in some capacity.[25] Navarrette confirmed in July that she would return for at least three episodes.[15] Ultimately, each member of the supporting cast who was previously expected to appear in the final season reprised their role and retained main cast billing for the episodes that they appeared in.
Filming
editFilming for the season began on January 11, 2024[26] in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[27] Filming concluded on April 24, 2024.[28][29] The cast and crew held a wrap party on April 25, 2024, to celebrate the conclusion of four seasons of filming.[30]
Release
editRatings
edit| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) |
Viewers (millions) |
DVR (18–49) |
DVR viewers (millions) |
Total (18–49) |
Total viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The End & The Beginning" | October 7, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.45[4] | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | "A World Without" | October 7, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.47[4] | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | "Always My Hero" | October 14, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.43[5] | 0.1 | 0.27 | 0.1 | 0.70[5] |
| 4 | "A Perfectly Good Wedding" | October 21, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.48[6] | 0.0 | 0.30 | 0.1 | 0.78[6] |
| 5 | "Break the Cycle" | October 28, 2024 | 0.0 | 0.43[7] | 0.1 | 0.30 | 0.1 | 0.73[7] |
| 6 | "When the Lights Come On" | November 4, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.51[8] | 0.1 | 0.35 | 0.2 | 0.86[8] |
| 7 | "A Regular Guy" | November 11, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.44[9] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | "Sharp Dressed Man" | November 18, 2024 | 0.1 | 0.35[10] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Notes
edit- ^ a b This actor also appears as their character's Bizarro counterpart in archive footage.
- ^ Jordan Elsass appears as Jonathan Kent via archive footage from the first season.
- ^ a b c d e f g This actor is only credited for their respective episode appearances.
- ^ Cudlitz is listed among the main cast but receives "special appearance by" credit in the opening titles.
References
edit- ^ a b "The CW Network Sets New Fall Premiere Dates for "Scrabble," "Trivial Pursuit," "Superman & Lois" and "The Wranglers"" (Press release). The CW. August 29, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ a b "SUPERMAN & LOIS (CW)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Superman & Lois". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Pucci, Douglas (October 9, 2024). "Monday Ratings: 60 Minutes Election Special on CBS Tops Non-Sports Telecasts in Prime Time Among Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (October 16, 2024). "Monday Ratings: NCIS: Origins Gets Modest Launch on CBS Opposite NFL on ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (October 22, 2024). "Monday Ratings: Wayans Sitcom Poppa's House Off to Good Start for CBS, Well Compatible with Lead-In The Neighborhood". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (October 29, 2024). "Monday Ratings: MLB World Series Game 3 and NFL Monday Night Football Nearly Even in Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Pucci, Douglas (November 6, 2024). "Monday Ratings: SNL Election Special on NBC Leads Non-NFL Telecasts Within its Hour Among Adults 18-49 and 25-54". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 12, 2024). "Monday Ratings: The Voice Powers NBC to Top Broadcast Networks in Prime Time". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (November 19, 2024). "Monday Ratings: NFL on ABC and ESPN Far Outdistance the Competition". Programming Insider. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ Jamison, Jai [@Jaijamison] (April 12, 2024). "The end of an era. Four years ago, Todd Helbing hired me as a staff writer. And today I wrap on writing and directing the penultimate episode of #SupermanandLois. Gonna miss this family. On and off the screen. Cant wait for y'all to see this season" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "(#410) "It Went by So Fast"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Andreeva, Nellie (June 14, 2023). "'Superman & Lois': Dylan Walsh & Emmanuelle Chriqui Among 7 Cast Members Not Returning, Michael Cudlitz Promoted To Regular For Season 4". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "'Superman & Lois' stars promise 'epic' and 'emotional' closure in the final season". EW.com. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- ^ a b Holmes, Adam (July 7, 2023). "One Of 'Superman And Lois' Cut Leads Revealed Their Season 4 Return, But It's Not All Good News". Cinemablend. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Byrne, Craig (December 1, 2023). "Report: [SPOILER] To Return For Two Episodes In Superman & Lois Season 4". KryptonSite. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Flook, Ray (April 15, 2024). "Superman & Lois: Emmanuelle Chriqui's Finale Check-In; Tulloch's Gift". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (March 7, 2024). "Superman & Lois casts Avatar: The Last Airbender actor as 'massive threat' to the Kents". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Russ Burlingate (October 4, 2024). "Elizabeth Henstridge To Appear in Key Role in Superman & Lois's Final Season". Comic Book. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Swift, Andy (March 19, 2024). "Superman & Lois Adds Douglas Smith as Jimmy Olsen in Fourth and Final Season (Exclusive)". TVLine. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Swift, Andy (May 6, 2024). "The Flash's Tom Cavanagh to Appear in Superman & Lois Series Finale — But Who Is He Playing?". TVLine. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy (June 12, 2023). "'Superman & Lois' Renewed For 10-Episode Season 4 At The CW". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (November 2, 2023). "End of The CW's DC Era: 'Superman & Lois' to Conclude With Season 4". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ Cobb, Kayla (February 15, 2024). "CW Boss Brad Schwartz on Cancellations, Superman and Lois Final Season and Building a Slate With Wider Appeal: 'We Want to Be a Big 5 Network'". TheWrap. Archived from the original on February 20, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Byrne, Craig (December 8, 2023). "Emmanuelle Chriqui Reportedly Returning in Superman & Lois Season 4". KryptonSite. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Baala, Sara (January 12, 2024). "Superman and Lois season four shares exciting filming update". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Alison (December 29, 2023). "9 movies and TV shows filming in Vancouver in January". Daily Hive. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ Mishra, Shrishty (April 24, 2024). "'Superman & Lois' Wraps Filming on Its Series Finale". Collider. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (April 24, 2024). "Superman & Lois Wraps Production on Series Finale". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Behbakht, Andy (April 24, 2024). "Superman & Lois Officially Wraps Filming As Lois Lane Actress Confirms Completion Of The CW's Final DC TV Show". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 20, 2024). "The CW Sets Fall Premiere Dates For Final Season Of 'Superman & Lois', 'WWE NXT', 'Sullivan's Crossing', 'The Chosen' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 20, 2024.