Smallville Actors Returning for Crisis on Infinite Earths

The CW continues to tantalize fans with major additions to its upcoming crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Earlier this week, the network announced that Smallville alums Tom Welling and Erica Durance would be reprising their roles as Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively, in the five-episode event. Welling played a teenage Clark Kent on Smallville from 2001 to 2011, while Durance joined the series in its fourth season. Welling and Durance join a large assortment of DC Entertainment veterans returning to their classic roles for “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Earlier this year, Burt Ward, who played Robin/Dick Grayson on the 60s Batman television series, was revealed to be joining the event, as is Batman: The Animated Series voice actor Kevin Conroy and Superman Returns star Brandon Routh.

Fans of DC Entertainment had been hoping for Welling and other veteran Smallville actors to return for “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” When announcing Welling’s return for the event, Arrow executive producer Marc Guggenheim paid tribute to Smallville, saying that Arrow and the five series in the Arrowverse would not exist were it not for Smallville. While it is unclear what role Welling will play in the event, according to entertainment news website Deadline, Durance will appear across several episodes of “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Those close to the production further add that the event storyline will show what has happened to many of Smallville’s major characters in the nearly ten years that the series has been off the air. While Welling has famously dismissed reports that he would ever appear in the Arrowverse, Durance is no stranger to The CW’s massive superhero franchise. Durance played Supergirl’s mother, Alura Zor-El, on season four of Supergirl in a recurring role.

In addition to serving as a major crossover event for the Arrowverse, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” will also conclude Arrow’s eight-season run on The CW. Like “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” Arrow is planning to bring back major characters for its final season. The network announced earlier this week that Willa Holland, who played Thea Queen/Speedy in the first six seasons of the show, will be returning in a recurring role. Josh Segarra, who played season five big bad Adrian Chase, and Colin Donnell, who portrayed Oliver’s best friend Tommy Merlyn in season one, will also be returning as guest stars. The season will focus on Oliver’s quest to help the Monitor save the multiverse.