"She's a combination of beauty, intelligence, a certain warmth, and great attitude," Smallville co-creator Al Gough tells PEOPLE. "We've wanted a character to shake things up. She may be Clark Kent's cousin, but that doesn't mean she's going to be the obedient one!"

Since mid-May, when DC Comics approved of introducing Supergirl to the Smallville series, creators Gough and Miles Millar have seen hundreds of actresses for the part but found perfection in Vandervoort, who may be known to fans of the cable series Instant Star as Sadie Harrison. "She was speechless but she was very excited," Gough says of Vandervoort's reaction to the news.

Supergirl will be introduced to viewers as Kara, Clark's cousin, who was born on Krypton and has all of Clark's powers plus the ability to fly. Watch for her to spark romance with Jimmy Olsen (Ashmore) as well.

Hey Smallville Fan's CW is casting for Supergirl for Season Seven of Smallville.

"CW's Smallville will add a classic DC Comics character to the show when it returns for its seventh season this fall: Supergirl.
Clark Kent (Tom Welling) will discover that he's not the only survivor of the destruction of the planet Krypton: His cousin Kara "was sent to Earth in a ship that arrived at the same time as baby Kal-El's.
Kara Supergirl: been in suspended animation for the last 16 years. We'll find out in the season premiere that the big dam break in last season's finale is the reason she's finally awoken."
Kara/Supergirl will help Clark get in touch with his Kryptonian roots, Gough said. "With his [adopted] father dead and his [adopted] mother moved to Washington [to become a U.S. senator] and Lana blown up, suddenly there's some family in his life," he added.
Kara will have all of Clark's powers and a couple he doesn't have yet, "She can fly, And her response when Clark asks why is 'Obviously, girls mature faster than boys.'
Kara makes her debut in the season premiere of the SF drama and will appear in about half of the season's episodes.( 7 episodes or so) A casting notice is set to go out shortly, and producers hope to unveil their new addition at July's Comic-Con International in San Diego. Stay tune to see who will be casted for the part.

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Smallville producers are looking for an "extremely hot" thirtysomething actor to play the new editor of the "Daily Planet" — presumably replacing that slacker Pauline Kahn. He'll appear in six of the first eight episodes and will be a love interest for Lois Lane.

Just In!

The New Editor of the Daily Planet will be: Michael Cassidy, who also appeared on The O.C., will more than likely make is first appearance on the second episode of Smallville's upcoming season in September. His character, named Greg or Grant (depending on which source you ask), will replace Carrie Fisher as the Planet's editor. Michael Cassidy will appear in at least six episodes, meaning that if fans react positively to his character, he may stick around longer. The only bad point is Cassidy's age problem, Cassidy is 24 years old. Isn't that a bit young to be editor in chief of a major newspaper? Unless the role was lowered to some assistant editor or junior editor. Nonetheless, Cassidy will sure help bring over some fans who have been following him on The O.C. and Hidden Palms.

MORE NEWS!
Mike Ausiello of TV Guide spoke to both Erica Durance and John Glover at the 2007 CW Upfronts. Among the things revealed: Chloe WILL survive her whole "pass out after saving Lois" ordeal, according to Erica... and Glover confirms that Annette O'Toole will not be returning this Fall.
Does Lana live?
Kristin Kreuk WILL be back as Lana Lang. That milk truck couldn't have been more obvious, could it? Will be back for the full season? There's really no way of knowing. Unless, of course, we're hearing bad information, and Lana really is dead... but its far from that..

- As far as everyone knows... none of the other characters are in danger of permanent death. John Glover has said in an interview that he may be returning to Smallville a few weeks later than everyone else, but still: Everyone should be safe.

- Unfortunately, Annette O'Toole has left the show, and "Phantom" was Martha Kent's last. She will be reapearing in some epsiodes again next year.