DC Comics' 'Stargirl' lands on The CW and DC Universe

Television always has room for another DC Comics character, and "Stargirl" is the latest.

Prolific executive producer Greg Berlanti's new series debuts on the DC Universe streaming service Monday, May 18, then also premieres on The CW Tuesday, May 19, (which will remain the weekly pattern for each episode). Introduced to viewers briefly in the recent "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover event, Stargirl is the alias of angsty teen Courtney Whitmore (played by multiple-Nickelodeon-show alum Brec Bassinger), who resents her stepfather (Luke Wilson) - until she discovers he was the sidekick of the late superhero Starman, whose magical staff gives her powers she uses to lead a new Justice Society of America against evil.

"I had no idea what I was getting into," the pleasant Bassinger laughs of landing the title part. "When I met with showrunner Geoff Johns for the first time and he explained who he was thinking of for some of the other roles, I was like, 'Oh, Brec, this is gonna be big. This is gonna be more than you've ever done before.' And there are a lot of expectations with that."

With Amy Smart also starring as Courtney's mother, "Stargirl" is based on a comic book Johns co-created (with Lee Moder), modeling the main character on his late sister. "He is one of the greatest people I've ever met," Bassinger maintains, "and this does mean a lot to him. I want to do good for the show, but mainly, I want to do good for him."

Being a veteran of cheerleading and gymnastics has helped Bassinger with the series' ample physicality, even before first donning the Stargirl costume. "During the week of training we did, they'd say, 'OK, we don't need you to work on any more of that,'" she muses, "but I do have to say my stunt double, Kristina Baskett, is amazing. She made Courtney look even better."

Getting the Stargirl outfit was a big event for Bassinger, both professionally and personally: "One of the most special parts of that for me was the fitting. To see the amount of people who worked on it just blew my mind. I think I had about 17 fittings for it, and I remember walking onto the set in it for the first time. It was so cool! I feel more like a superhero when I put it on, that's for sure."

As "Stargirl" arrives, Bassinger sums up the experience so far as "surreal. I remember being younger and going to (the amusement park) Six Flags and seeing all the DC characters ... and now, to think that I'm portraying one of them, I'm not sure my brain has wrapped around it."