“Supergirl” star Millie Alcock says she is bracing for public backlash ahead of the film’s June release, as women who star in fan-favorite series often face scrutiny for “just existing.”
In a Vanity Fair article published alongside the film’s latest trailer, Alcock spoke about the pressures of leading the beloved D.C. institution.
She said her role in House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones spin-off that launched her career, helped prepare her for the intense spotlight.
“It really made me realize that just existing as a woman in that space was something people would criticize,” Alcock said of her experiences with both series, which have huge fan bases.
“We’ve become very comfortable with having this weird ownership over women’s bodies.”
Ms Alcock said she had “funny dreams” about standing in front of a tsunami, which she linked to her fear of starring in a major superhero movie.
Despite her concerns, Alcock said the audience’s reaction was out of her control.
“Of course it’s scary,” Alcock said. “Of course I want people to like me and this movie, but at the end of the day, that’s out of my control.”
The latest “Supergirl” trailer has already racked up nearly 2 million views on YouTube within three hours of its release. Actor David Corenswet, who co-starred with Alcock in the latest film Superman, makes a cameo appearance.
Alcock said that after starring in the blockbuster hit House of the Dragon, he initially vowed not to star in any other blockbuster series.
Things changed after she was unemployed for nearly a year and worried that her career would “end at 22.”
Alcock said she “bullied” herself into auditioning for “Supergirl” and ended up getting the role.
She also responded to criticism from veteran directors, including Martin Scorsese, who expressed his distaste for the superhero genre.
“Every time there’s a new wave, there’s going to be criticism of it,” Alcock said. “Not all movies are for everyone. The beauty of art is that you can choose what you like.”
Alcock is from Australia and starred in the 2025 Netflix miniseries, Siren. She joined the “Game of Thrones” world as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the debut season of “House of the Dragon.”
“Supergirl” will be released in theaters in June of this year.
