Milly Alcock, the Australian actor who plays the new Supergirl in the DC Universe, opened up about her rise to fame, the pressure of carrying a big budget movie, and the sexism she has faced in the industry. In a wide-ranging interview, the 26-year-old star also revealed that she nearly gave up acting before landing the role of a lifetime.
Alcock first gained global attention playing Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen on HBO’s House of the Dragon. But before that show even aired, she had already auditioned for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. The movie finished filming in December 2025 and is set to release in December 2026.
Alcock Says Female Superheroes Face Tougher Scrutiny
The actor spoke openly about the double standards female actors face when playing superhero roles. She compared the pressure on women to what male stars experience.
“No one’s asking Glen Powell to do 1,000 pushups,” Alcock said. “But with me, there was this immediate ‘We need to get you to the gym.’ There’s an extra layer of s— that women have to deal with that men don’t.”
She explained that female superheroes are judged more harshly on their appearance. Male actors can look like regular people, but women are expected to meet a certain physical standard.
“It’s so much more about how you look and how fit you are,” Alcock said. “It’s an added pressure.”
Despite that pressure, Alcock trained hard for the role. She worked with a stunt team and a personal trainer to get ready for the physical demands of playing Kara Zor-El.
The Star Almost Walked Away From Acting
Before House of the Dragon and Supergirl, Alcock thought her career was over. She had been acting since she was 13 years old but struggled to find meaningful work.
“I was 21 and I had moved out of home and I was getting by, just,” Alcock said. “I was thinking, ‘Maybe I’ll go to university. Maybe I’ll get a proper job.’ I had gotten to a point where the slog and the exhaustion and the scarcity of it just felt so immense.”
She described the audition process as draining. She would go to casting calls where she had no chance of getting the part. The rejections piled up, and she started to lose hope.
A friend convinced her to give it one more year. That year, she auditioned for House of the Dragon. The show changed everything.
“Supergirl” Is Different From Other DC Movies
Alcock promised that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow feels nothing like a regular superhero movie. She said the film is more of a sci-fi western than a typical comic book adaptation.
“It’s different,” Alcock said. “It’s not your normal origin story. It’s a psychedelic, trippy sci-fi western.”
The movie follows Kara Zor-El on her 21st birthday. She is not happy about being stuck on Earth. She meets a young girl named Ruthye, and together they go on a journey across the galaxy to find the person who killed Ruthye’s father.
Matthias Schoenaerts plays the villain Krem. Eve Ridley plays Ruthye. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie, who also made I, Tonya and Cruella. James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, wrote the script .
Alcock described her version of Supergirl as angrier and more damaged than the version people know from the comics.
“She’s been watching her family die on Krypton from afar her whole life,” Alcock explained. “She’s bitter.”
Working With Craig Gillespie Changed Her Approach
Alcock praised director Craig Gillespie for creating a safe and creative environment on set. She said he allowed the actors to try things without fear of failing.
“Craig is very much like, ‘Try something. It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong. We’ll figure it out,’” Alcock said. “He trusts his actors implicitly. He hires you for a reason.”
She said that trust helped her feel more confident in the role. She did not have to worry about getting every single moment perfect. Instead, she could experiment and find the character organically.
The Star Feels Ready for the Attention Now
Alcock admitted that the fame from House of the Dragon caught her off guard. The show became a massive hit, and suddenly everyone wanted to know who she was.
Now, with Supergirl coming out, she feels more prepared for the spotlight.
“I feel way more equipped now,” Alcock said. “I know who I am. I know what I want. I know what my boundaries are.”
She said she has learned to say no to things that do not feel right. She also learned to protect her private life from public scrutiny.
“I’m not interested in being famous,” Alcock said. “I’m interested in doing good work.”
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What Fans Can Expect From “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will hit theaters on December 18, 2026 in the United States. The movie will release on December 17, 2026 in Australia and most of Europe. United Kingdom and India viewers will get the film on December 18, 2026 .
The movie is part of James Gunn’s new DC Universe. It is the second film in the rebooted franchise, following Superman, which releases in July 2026 .
Alcock will also appear as Supergirl in other DC projects. She is expected to show up in the Superman movie in a small role. Future team-up movies may also feature her character .
The actor said she has signed on for multiple films as Kara Zor-El. She would not say how many, but confirmed that DC Studios has long-term plans for the character .
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