The role of Jonathan Kent was recast for Superman & Lois season 3, raising many questions for viewers of the DC show. The more athletic of Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s twin sons, Jonathan “Jon” Kent, earned the quarterback position on the Metropolis High School varsity football team as a first-year student. Lois and Clark were fearful that Jon’s natural talents were a sign that he was slowly developing superpowers, but it was their less outgoing son, Jordan, who gained his powers first, with Jonathan’s own only temporarily manifesting as a result of taking X-Kryptonite.
Despite being a long-running universe, the Arrowverse had surprisingly few recasts over the years. The most famous recast in the Arrowverse timeline came in Batwoman season 2, where Wallis Day replaced Ruby Rose as Kate Kane, after the original Batwoman had her face altered by Black Mask. Things were somewhat less dramatic when it came to Jonathan Kent looking different from Superman & Lois season 3, but this arguably made audiences all the more curious as to why the change occurred.
Michael Bishop Replaced Jordan Elsass As Jonathan Kent In Superman & Lois
In September 2023, roughly one month after Jordan Elsass’ departure was announced, actor Michael Bishop was confirmed as the new Jonathan Kent for Superman & Lois season 3. Bishop is a popular young actor in his native home country of Australia, where he played the role of Teddy in the television series Grace Besides Me. He also appeared in several short films, including Skin Like Bark and Shelter. Bishop made his American television debut in 2021, playing the lead role of Max in the Disney Channel movie Spin.
Superman & Lois
season 4 has been confirmed as the last season of the show.
Bishop fit well into the role, continuing to develop Jonathan Kent throughout Superman & Lois season 3. Following up two seasons of another actor’s work on a character isn’t an easy task, but the eldest Kent’s arc was done justice through the transitory period of being played by Jordan Elsass to Michael Bishop, ensuring the change didn’t prove too jarring for audiences. This, alongside many other decisions, ensured that Superman & Lois season 3 was able to hold up despite the complications that arose from the management changes at The CW and Warner Bros. Discovery during this time.
Why Jonathan Kent Actor Jordan Elsass Exited Superman & Lois After Season 2
Warner Bros. TV released a statement in August 2022 confirming that Jordan Elsass, who originated the role of Jonathan Kent in Superman & Lois, would not be returning for the third season and that his role would be recast. No reason was given at the time for why Elsass was leaving the show, but with him being an integral part of the first two seasons, it came as a big surprise to fans of the series.
Later that month, Elsass explained his decision in a Cameo video, which was also shared on his social media. Citing the importance of mental health, Elsass explained that he needed “some time to myself,” and that he felt the need to take a break from acting, despite being excited about Superman & Lois season 3. Michael Bishop stepped into the role admirably. With the Superman & Lois season 4 premiere on October 8, 2024, Bishop will have one final season to build upon his work as Jonathan Kent.
What Superman & Lois’ New Jonathan Kent Actor Said About Replacing The Original
Superman & Lois has been really great throughout it’s run, and its cast of characters is a large part of that success. Replacing an actor that helped to build that success comes with its own challenges, including finding the right balance of what came before while also furthering the character in new ways. In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Michael Bishop opened up about replacing Jordan Elsass as Jonathan Kent, stating, “I wasn’t trying to copy anything that was done before. I wanted to stay true to the character… but I also wanted to find out what was different about my Jon.”
“I was filling in the shoes of someone who had done the role before, and done it wonderfully.”
Michael Bishop explained the pressure he felt stepping into the role of Jonathan Kent, stating, “I was filling in the shoes of someone who had done the role before, and done it wonderfully.” When discussing with some producers about how he should play Jonathan Kent, he explained what they told him: “the message that was relayed back to me was just, ‘We love what you’re doing. We love where your Jon is sitting. Keep it there.'”
With Superman & Lois ending with its fourth season, it seems incredibly difficult to switch up actors halfway through the series. Jordan Elsass brought life to Jonathan Kent in the first two seasons, but after stepping away, someone needed to take over. Michael Bishop didn’t miss a beat, stepping into the role and doing justice to the character fans have grown to love throughout the show. Michael Bishop will have one last chance to put his stamp on the character with the final season of Superman & Lois.
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Source: Entertainment Weekly