10-Part Superman Series’ Worldwide Netflix Resurgence Addressed By Star As Sequel Awaits Greenlight

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The TV show with the longest history of featuring Superman is enjoying a surge in popularity in 2026, and one of its stars has spoken out about the renewed interest.

Cassidy Freeman, known for her role as Tess Mercer on the TV series Smallville, is reuniting with her former co-star Tom Welling in an upcoming comedy film. This marks their first project together since Smallville ended in 2011. Speaking with ScreenRant at SXSW, Freeman, who plays Marissa in the new film, discussed the recent popularity of Smallville on Netflix. She mentioned that there was even talk of the show being considered for an Emmy award, noting that it’s rare for a series to remain successful for a full ten seasons.

The actor explained that joining Smallville in its eighth season was a unique experience, stepping in after Lex Luthor’s departure. He loves how fans still recognize him as Tess Mercer, often simply calling out his character’s name. What he enjoys most, though, is hearing that people are now sharing the show with their children, finding it a comforting and nostalgic experience to revisit.

As a film and TV lover, I’ve always thought the real measure of success isn’t just initial popularity, but lasting impact. It’s amazing to see how shows continue to resonate with people years after they air. I experienced that firsthand with ‘Longmire,’ which I did for Netflix – it’s still hugely popular! People still come up to me and joke about how attractive my on-screen dad, Walt, is, which is funny. But even more meaningful is when they tell me how much it meant to see the Native American community represented on screen. That’s the stuff that really stays with you.

This show came before the surge in popularity of Taylor Sheridan’s westerns, and it really paved the way for that whole genre. It was a special project to be a part of, and it clearly resonated with people – many watched it multiple times. It offered that cozy, comforting feeling, like a favorite movie you revisit again and again. I believe television is a powerful way to connect with others, especially during challenging and uncertain times. It allows us to celebrate, build connections, and share stories – and that’s what truly matters.

Freeman described her surprise and delight at being reunited with Tom Welling on the set of Chasing Summer. She explained that when she first learned he would be in the movie, she kept repeating his name in disbelief. She immediately remembered him as a wonderfully kind and talented person, and was excited to work with him again.

I was really looking forward to seeing him, but we didn’t have much opportunity to work together on set, though we did get to spend time together. This press tour for the movie has been a lot of fun, though.

The film is a funny and heartwarming story about Jamie, who returns to her small Texas hometown after losing both her boyfriend and her job. There, she reconnects with old friends and past summer romances, which unexpectedly shake up her life. The movie also features Garrett Wareing, Lola Tung, Aimee Garcia, and Megan Mullally.

Why Smallville Continues To Grow In Popularity

Superman is a timeless and popular superhero, constantly attracting new fans through movies and television. The show Smallville, which originally aired from 2001 to 2011, is finding a new audience thanks to streaming services like Netflix, allowing viewers who missed it the first time around to discover the series.

The show’s continued success on Netflix in 2026 is largely thanks to its loyal fans. The cast of Smallville has stayed connected with the fanbase for years, appearing at conventions and regularly revisiting the series on the Talk Ville Podcast with John Welling and Michael Rosenbaum.

A sequel to Smallville is also in the works. Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling are creating an animated series that would reunite the original actors to voice their characters. However, the project is progressing slowly because Warner Bros. Discovery is currently prioritizing the new DC Universe being developed by James Gunn at DC Studios.

You can watch Smallville on Netflix in most countries, but in the United States, it’s available on Hulu through Disney+. As for Chasing Summer, there’s no confirmed release date yet.

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2026-03-25 17:29