Milly Alcock has sparked debate after offering an uncertain response when asked about the sexuality of her “Supergirl” character, suggesting Kara Zor-El may operate outside traditional romantic labels.
The actress’s comments divided fans online, while also adding to wider discussion around her casting in the upcoming DC Studios film.
Directed by Craig Gillespie and co-starring Jason Momoa and David Corenswet, the Milly Alcock-led project has already generated mixed reactions ahead of release.
Alcock recently raised eyebrows after giving a candid and somewhat uncertain response when asked whether her “Supergirl” character is queer.
The Australian actress, who plays Kara Zor-El in the upcoming DC Studios film, was questioned during promo interviews about the character’s sexuality.
She noted that the story does not center on a male romance or traditional love arc, adding that she herself wasn’t sure how to define it.
“I don’t know,” she said repeatedly, before suggesting the character “probably goes both ways.”
Alcock went on to explain that “Supergirl” exists outside conventional expectations of femininity or relationships, which she believes is part of what makes the role appealing to some LGBTQ+ fans.
In another interview, she echoed that interpretation, saying she personally viewed the character as someone who would “do what she wants” in that regard.
Her comments quickly sparked debate online. Some fans criticized her wording and questioned the framing of the character, while others defended her response as open-ended and appropriate given the film’s focus.
“Kara is straight, she’s in love with Jimmy Olsen in every iteration lol,” a fan of the comic book character noted.
However, another person argued, “DC doesn’t really lean into it like other characters, but I think it’s been implied a few times in the comics that she’s bisexual.”
One critic stated, “Pathetic what films are nowadays, back in the day, characters’ [sexuality] was not even talked about or mentioned.”
Defending the actress’s comments, a fan wrote, “Why are we talking about sexuality when the movie is about loss and trauma and finding a place to call home? The interviewer is actually so weird for asking that.”
A separate group of commenters said they were unconcerned with the character’s sexuality altogether.
Alcock’s remarks come amid fears over the movie’s box office performance after its release due to weak tracking data.
Former ‘Superman’ Actor Took Aim At The ‘Supergirl’ Star With A Viral Meme As Casting Controversy Continues
Alcock’s remarks also come amid wider online debate surrounding her casting as “Supergirl” in the upcoming DC Studios reboot.
The film, directed by Craig Gillespie, features Jason Momoa alongside Alcock, with David Corenswet set to appear as Superman. The supporting cast includes Eve Ridley, Emily Beecham, and Matthias Schoenaerts.
Tension also briefly escalated after former “Lois & Clark” Superman actor Dean Cain drew backlash online for reacting to a meme that compared Alcock’s appearance to Cha-Ka, a character from the 1970s series “Land of the Lost.”
The post, which included a laughing reaction, quickly circulated on social media and prompted criticism from fans, some of whom accused Cain of undermining his legacy.
“What a fantastic way to kill your legacy. And what a glorious way to lose the respect of millions of kids that looked up to you three decades ago. What a disgrace,” one fan wrote.
Cain later clarified that he never directly called Alcock ugly, though he largely brushed off the controversy.
Milly Alcock Shrugs Off Online Criticism While Admitting Fear Over Global Fame
Alcock has also addressed criticism surrounding her casting, saying she is largely unbothered by negative comments online, particularly those coming from anonymous or troll accounts.
She noted that many critics appear to be “burner accounts, or someone’s name and then ‘Dad of four, Christian,” and said she does not place much weight on that kind of feedback.
Alcock added that she is comfortable with the reaction if it means “p-ssing the right kind of people off.”
Separately, the actress has spoken about the pressure that comes with fame ahead of her superhero debut.
In an interview with SFX Magazine, Alcock admitted she feels overwhelmed by the prospect of increased public attention, saying she is not ready to be “idolized” on a global scale.
She described the idea as intimidating, explaining, “I think it’s because I know all of me. You guys only know a certain part, and that’s a frightening thing, to be met with that.”
Early Reactions To ‘Supergirl’ Praise Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa But Call Film A ‘Mixed Bag’
Meanwhile, early reactions to “Supergirl” have begun circulating online ahead of its June 26 theatrical release, with critics offering mixed but largely enthusiastic impressions of the DC Studios film.
Chris Killian of ComicBook.com described the film as a blend of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “True Grit,” and “Mad Max,” calling it a “grimy, funny, yet surprisingly somber space adventure.”
He praised Alcock’s performance, particularly during moments tied to the character’s tragic backstory, and said Momoa appears to be “having the fraggin’ time of his life” as Lobo.
Killian also highlighted the film’s practical effects and described Corenswet’s Superman as “peak casting,” noting that his scenes bring a strong sense of charm.
Film critic Tessa Smith described the movie as somewhat uneven, calling it a “mixed bag.” While she praised both Momoa and Alcock for their standout performances, she noted that certain adaptation choices and a less compelling villain prevented the film from reaching its full potential, summarising it as “just fine.”
Erik Davis offered a more upbeat comparison, likening “Supergirl” to a mix of the “underdog rock’ n’ roll energy” of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the harsher, grittier tone of “Mad Max.”
