Smallville, now in its eighth season, has seen its share of changes. The cast has changed somewhat over the years as the various characters are killed off or added as necessary.
Tom Welling is Clark Kent, who has not as yet donned the blue and red costume of his adult life as Superman. During our hero’s tenure as the small town farm boy from Smallville, he is much more comfortable in flannel shirts and jeans. Tom has evolved Clark through his many trials and tribulations and continues to do so, aptly portraying the role as necessary in many different senarios.
Chloe Sullivan, a character not from the original story line, was added in and has done well enough that she was written into the comics. Chloe is portrayed by Allison Mack an actress who has matured into the role and become a very large part of the series as one of the few people who know Clark’s secret and as his close friend.
Kristin Kreuk portrays Lana Lang. Lana a staple of the first seven seasons of Smallville as Clark Kent’s first love, is now stepping out of Clark’s life to make way for Lois Lane to step in sort of…
Lana had her moments; the constant recycling of her relationship with Clark did get tiresome.
John Schneider and Annette O’toole played Clark’s adoptive parents Jonathan and Martha Kent. Mr. Kent lasted five seasons before succumbing to heart failure and Mrs. Kent was a regular until season six when she accepted a seat in the Kansas State Senate and basically hasn’t appeared since.
Lex Luthor played by Michael Rosenbaum started out as Clark’s friend and has progressively become the evil villain and arch nemesis, a role he excelled at until season eight when he went awol after the season seven finale. Never fear Lex has to return sooner or later as all good super villains do.
John Glover executed Lionel Luthor, Lex’s dysfunctional father, to perfection until his untimely demise in season seven. Lionel will be sorely missed as one of the staples in the show. The Luthor family gave a whole new meaning to dysfunctional families, as I’m sure you will agree.
Sam Jones III lasted a mere three seasons as Pete Ross, Clark’s long time friend and confidant. Leaving Smallville when Clark’s secret became too much to deal with as people began trying to kill him over it.
Pete did return in one episode in a later season only to leave once again.
Lois Lane appeared in season four as Chloe’s cousin and settled in nicely. Erica Durance does a great job as Lois, evolving her character into the intrepid reporter she had to become.
The Green Arrow AKA Oliver Queen started Smallville in season six, was received well enough to be brought back for season eight as well. Justin Hartely has taken to the role very well indeed, becoming another staple in the Smallville universe.
Aaron Ashmore entered Smallville in season six as Jimmy Olson and continues on to the present season, introducing the photographer’s character from the original story into the show.
There are several single season characters who appeared and more added in this eighth season.
Jensen Ackles gave us Jason Teague, Eric Johnson brought us Whitney Fordman and Laura Vandervoort gave us Clark’s cousin Kara AKA Supergirl.
Smallville has seen many guest stars including:
Christopher Reeve from the Superman movies as Dr. Virgil Swann.
Margot Kidder also from the Superman movies was Bidgette Crosby an employee of Swanns
Marc McClure who was Jimmy Olsen in the movies appeared in Smallville as Pax-ur a Kryptonian.
Jane Seymour who portrayed the evil Genevieve Teague in several episodes is a well known actress.
Rutger Hauer another well known actor appeared as Morgan Edge in the show.
Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame guest starred as an editor of the Daily Planet at one time.
Lynda Carter of Wonder Woman fame as Chloe’s mom.
Dean Cain who played Superman in the TV series Lois and Clark turned up as the evil Dr. Curtis Knox
Tom Wopat played a Senator.
Helen Slater from the Supergirl movie, played Clark’s birth mother Lara.
Season eight has added some new names as well, Cassidy Freeman takes over as CEO of Luthorcorp as Tess Mercer and Sam Witwer joins as Davis Bloome who rumor has it will evolve into Doomsday. Doomsday as any DC Comic fan knows, is the only character to kill Superman. It should prove an interesting season!
References:
www.cwtv.com/shows/smallville/cast
www.kryptonsite.com
www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/watch-smallville.html
