Highlights from Supergirl’s Erica Durance’s Facebook Q&A
Supergirl -- "Girl of Steel" -- SPG301a_0415.jpg ñ Pictured: Erica Durance as Alura -- Photo: Dean Buscher/The CW -- é 2017 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved
This past Monday, Smallville alum Erica Durance participated in a Facebook Q&A over at Supergirl’s Facebook page. Durance answered fan questions such as her role as Alura, Kara’s birth mother.
Back in July, it was announced that Durance would be taking over the part from Laura Benanti who had to back out due to New York theatre commitments (Benanti is starring in Steve Martin’s new Broadway play Meteor Shower).
We knew Durance would be recurring and so far we’ve seen her at the top of the season 3 premiere in a silent cameo in Kara’s dream and then in episode 2 as Kara had to relieve Krypton’s destruction and parting from her mom.
In the Q&A, we learned that Durance has only filmed 5 episodes so far. Durance describes working with Melissa Benoist (Kara/Supergirl) as the following:
We also learned that Durance didn’t have to audition for Alura but simply spoke to showrunner Andrew Kriesberg,
When asked what it was like being the new kid coming in on an established show versus being the lead like she was on Saving Hope, Durance answered that she needed a break after 5 years of being a lead.
“So this is lovely to come in, do my work and then take off home to my babies.”
Also Durance is happy to be back in the world of superheroes.
“After acting, producing, and directing…the blood, gore, and science of medicine, it is nice to have pretty hair, beautiful dresses, and a wind fan.”
When asked if she ever foresaw she would play another character in the Superman world like Laura Vandervoort, Dean Cain, Teri Hatcher and Helen Slater before her, Durance admits she didn’t but thought it would be fun and a chance to work with “dear friends.”
A fan asked if she is going to get Tom Welling to appear on the show and Durance said it is on her to-do list!
As for what to expect from Alura in future episodes, Durance said the following, “We will be seeing more of her in new and very creative ways…”
And Durance mentioned that a highlight of filming so far is an upcoming scene she has with Young Kara. “It was really nice to play a mother/daughter dynamic.”
As well, Durance relishes being part of a female-centric show “Any chance to be part of something that puts women in the forefront is a pleasure.”
You can catch Supergirl Mondays on the CW at 8pm ET/PT.
Pop Goes The World 
Thanks for this, Vanessa.
After watching episode 3 of season 3, I am still not sure if it was necessary to cast Erica in this role.
Don’t get me wrong, I love that Erica is back so soon after Saving Hope.
But now that I know how minuscule her parts are in every episode, I wish the Arrowverse PTB would have cast Erica in a different role
I always felt Erica should have played a super-heroine/villain herself, and I always thought Arrowverse would give her that chance, considering how the shows are always introducing new characters.
All I can hope for now is that we actually get to see Alura play an important role this season, the way Laura Benanti did in season 1.