Amit Malaviya
Hot on the heels of the casting of classic Justice Society of America members Wildcat, Hourman, and Starman, DC Universe has added another hero to the mix with the addition of Henry Thomas (The Haunting of Hill House) as Dr. Mid-Nite, a recurring role.
While there have been multiple versions of Dr. Mid-Nite since the character’s 1941 debut in All-American Comics #25, this version is based off the original Golden Age version, a surgeon named Charles McNider. In his classic origin story, Dr. McNider was blinded by a mobster one night when he was removing a bullet from a witness who was soon going to testify against mobsters. Believing his career as a surgeon to be over, Dr. McNider soon discovered that he could see, but only when it was absolutely dark. He soon developed a special visor that allowed him to see in the light, blackout bombs that could block out all light, and became the costumed crimefighter known as Dr. Mid-Nite. With his trusty owl Hooty, Dr. Mid-Nite is the team’s resident doctor as well as one of their best detectives.
Thomas is not the first person to essay the role of Dr. Mid-Nite. He was played on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow by Kwesi Ameyaw as part of their version of the Justice Society of America. A version of the character was also shown on an episode of Smallville, though as part of a painting depicting the roster of the JSA.
Starring Brec Bassinger as the eponymous heroine, Stargirl follows Courtney Whitmore, a high school sophomore who moves to Blue Valley, Nebraska after her mother gets married. When she discovers that her stepfather was once Starman’s sidekick Stripesy, Courtney uses Starman’s old cosmic staff to become Stargirl and inspires and rallies a motley crew of young, aspiring heroes to help her battle villains from the past.
Executive produced by DC Entertainment’s wunderkind Geoff Johns, who will also serve as showrunner, the character of Stargirl was created by Johns himself in 1999. Modeled on Johns’ late sister – also named Courtney – Stargirl went on to become one of the biggest hit new creations of the late 90s and early 00s. In addition to executive producing the show, Johns will also be writing the pilot episode.
While a solid premiere date has not been given yet, Stargirl is expected to debut sometime in 2019.
