Brec Bassinger Is Television’s New Stargirl
by Erik Amaya
DC Universe has found its Stargirl.
TVLine reports Nickelodeon star Brec Bassinger will play Courtney Whitmore in the upcoming Stargirl television series. Based on the short-lived Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. comic book series by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder, the new series sees the teen-aged Courtney moving to a new town, Blue Valley, Nebraska, and dealing with the reality of a new step-father. Struggling to adapt, Courtney discovers he has a secret; he used to be the sidekick to a superhero. Finding that hero’s Cosmic Staff, she creates a new persona and soon finds herself in a superhero society.
The program was first announced at Comic-Con back in July, but it seems development is moving swiftly. Johns will serve as an executive producer on the series alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, the supervisory team behind The CW’s slate of hero shows.
For Johns, all of this is very personal as Courtney was inspired by his sister, who tragically passed away aboard TWA Flight 800 in 1996. In a statement, Johns said, “After searching far and wide I can say there is no other actor on the planet that embodies her more than Brec Bassinger. Brec’s warmth, strength, humor and positive energy are core to who Courtney Whitmore is. I’m so grateful she’s signed on for the role.” Stargirl previously appeared on Smallville, as played by Britt Irvin. And on Legends of Tomorrow, Courtney (Sarah Grey) was part of the 1940s Justice Society of America, but the team later found her posing as Merlin in the 6th Century.
Stargirl joins the DC Universe lineup in 2019.
