At the start of Supergirl’s first season fans couldn’t have imagined the character that Hank Henshaw (aka J’Onn J’Onzz) would become. He went from assumed enemy to heroic savior as fans were introduced to the Martian Manhunter, who became like family to Kara and Alex Danvers.
Last season we learned so much about J’Onzz’s past and his true identity was revealed to National City. J’Onzz’s biggest struggle in season two will be becoming acclimated with this new life of being an alien in this world where everyone knows it.
“It’s a mixture of J’Onn getting comfortable with people knowing who he is,” David Harewood told us during a roundtable interview at SDCC. “For 350 years he’s kept his identity secret. This year we’re going to find him coming to terms with accepting that he’s out – an alien and people know it. That’s going to throw up some strange problems for him. He’s not used to being recognized as an alien.”
J’Onzz has experienced quite the heartbreak and tragedy in his lifetime. While there was certainly a time last season when he could’ve broken, he didn’t. Harewood attributes that to J’Onzz’s strength.
“He’s a really mentally strong guy,” Harewood said. “What’s really great – what some of the fans have noticed – is that even though he’s an alien he has such humanity. For me that’s a real buzz that – there’s so much depth to the guy I think that helps him to hopefully see the goodness in people.”
Watch our interview with Harewood below where he discusses Supergirl’s natural fit on The CW, J’Onn J’Onzz’s loneliness and isolation, a “super” fight in the premiere, and more.
Supergirl season two premieres Monday, Oct. 10 at 8/7c on The CW.