Sasha Calle as Supergirl in The Flash (2023): A New Dawn for a Legendary Hero

When Sasha Calle stepped onto the set of The Flash as Kara Zor‑El — better known as Supergirl — she not only took on a mantle heavy with decades of comic‑book legacy, but she also carried the hopes of representation, reinvention, and new beginnings for a beloved superheroine. Her casting marked a notable shift in the cinematic portrayal of Supergirl: bringing to life a version of the iconic character shaped by a multiverse twist, told through fresh eyes and a new energy.

From Humble Origins to the Big Screen: The Rise of Sasha Calle

Sasha Calle was born in Boston on August 7, 1995 — of Colombian descent — and spent part of her childhood between the United States and Colombia  Her journey to stardom was far from glamorous; before the fame, she supported herself with odd jobs like waiting tables, doing catering work, and even taking on extra roles — a powerful testament to her grit and unyielding determination.

At 17, she moved to Los Angeles to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2017A few years later, she broke into mainstream entertainment with a recurring role as Lola Rosales in the soap opera The Young and the Restless. Her performance earned her a 2020 nomination for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer.

But being cast as Supergirl in The Flash in 2021 marked a dramatic turning point in her career — and in the cinematic legacy of a character that had been portrayed before, but never by a Latina actress.

The Flash (2023): A Reinvention of a Mythic Legacy

In The Flash (2023), director Andy Muschietti and the creative team didn’t just reboot a character — they reimagined reality. Thanks to time‑travel and multiverse elements, the film rewrote the rules: in this altered timeline, it’s not Superman who lands on Earth, but Kara Zor‑El, the character played by Sasha Calle.

Calle’s Supergirl comes from a world where Superman never rose to prominence — and she arrives as a trapped Kryptonian, caught in a clandestine government facility. It takes the heroic efforts of Barry Allen (The Flash) and Batman (in this film, portrayed by returning veteran actors) to rescue her — and from there, a new Supergirl takes flight.

This version of Supergirl blends the familiar powers — flight, super-strength, resilience — with the dramatic stakes of a universe scrambled by time. It’s a fresh start for a character often constrained by previous storylines.

What Sasha Brought to Supergirl: Strength, Vulnerability, and Representation

Selecting Sasha Calle as Supergirl was a conscious decision to bring something new — both in demographics and emotional tone. She was chosen from among hundreds of candidates because she offered a rare mix: toughness, vulnerability, and a sense of authenticity that the filmmakers believed could redefine the character for today’s generation.

Calle herself has spoken about the emotional magnitude of being cast — the Zoom call where she learned she’d been chosen ended in tears. She viewed the role as more than a job; it was a dream, a statement, and a breakthrough of representation.

In her debut portrayal, she brought a raw, humanizing edge to Supergirl. This wasn’t the endlessly optimistic or sterile heroine of some past narratives — this was a Kryptonian thrust into uncertainty, navigating trauma, hope, and unfamiliar humanity. Many fans applauded this fresh emotional grounding. As one Reddit fan put it:“Sasha’s Supergirl felt real — not the cookie‑cutter ideal, but a woman with power wrapped in humanity.”

Her casting also broke boundaries: for the first time, a Latina actress embodied one of comic‑book’s most iconic heroines on the big screen — a milestone for representation in superhero cinema.

The Performance — Praises, Critiques, and Mixed Reactions

When The Flash hit theaters in June 2023, reaction to Sasha Calle’s Supergirl was mixed — and intense. Many praised her visual presence: her strong screen persona, her physicality, and how she embodied the iconic costume in a way that felt powerful yet modern.

However, not all critics were sold. Some argued that in emotionally heavy scenes, her performance lacked depth — describing her as “stiff” or “less expressive” compared to expectations.

Others pointed out that certain intense fight or emotional sequences were trimmed or sanitized, which may have blunted the full potential of the character’s arc.

Still, for many fans and even some critics, the sheer fact of her presence — a fresh take on Supergirl — was enough. Even where acting nuances were debated, the symbolic victory of representation and the hope for future growth kept support alive.

The Aftermath: What’s Next for Supergirl & Sasha Calle

Originally, Calle had signed a multi‑film deal to continue portraying Supergirl in the then‑expanding DC Extended Universe (DCEU) However, sweeping creative shifts followed: with the reworking of DC’s cinematic direction under new leadership, plans changed. Her involvement beyond The Flash became uncertain.

Despite disappointment, Calle has publicly expressed understanding of the studio’s choices — while also believing in the potential for future returns Meanwhile, newer casting for upcoming DC projects suggests that the role of Supergirl will continue, albeit in different hands.

For Sasha Calle, The Flash remains a launching pad. She’s already slated to star in other films beyond the superhero genre, proving her ambition and versatility extend far beyond capes and capers.

Why This Casting Matters: Beyond the Cape and Suit

Sasha Calle’s casting as Supergirl isn’t just another Hollywood headline — it’s a symbolic shift.

Representation & Identity: The superhero genre has often struggled with diversity; having a young Latina actress portray a major character sends a powerful message about who belongs in these stories.

Modern Reinvention: The Flash took a beloved myth and reimagined it for a new era of superheroes — where characters have trauma, moral ambiguity, and real human conflict. Calle’s Supergirl challenges the glossy perfection we sometimes associate with comic‑book heroes.

Industry Signal: Her journey — from odd jobs to soap opera to blockbuster — embodies perseverance. Casting her signals that studios are willing to take chances on new, talented faces rather than defaulting to established stars.

Future Potential: Even if her initial arc was cut short, the performance opened doors — for Calle, for representation, and for what a “next‑gen Supergirl” might look like.

In the End: A Legacy in Motion — Not a Final Chapter

Sasha Calle’s portrayal of Supergirl in The Flash belongs to a moment of change. It’s a cinematic turning point — not only in how we see the character, but in who gets to wear the cape. She may not have all the polish of long‑seasoned Hollywood stars, but what she brought was authenticity, hope, representation, and a fresh energy rooted in resilience.

Whether or not she returns as Supergirl in future films, her performance remains significant: a new voice added to the chorus of heroes, a milestone for Latina representation in mainstream superhero media, and a reminder that legends can be re‑born through unexpected paths.

The story of Supergirl has been rewritten. And with Sasha Calle, a new chapter — electrifying, raw, and full of potential — has begun.