Nashville standout Laura Benanti has been cast in a key recurring role in the CBS pilot Supergirl. She will play Alura Zor-El, the birth mother of Kara (Melissa Benoist). A strong noblewoman, Alura sends Kara to Earth to escape Krypton’s destruction. Her wisdom and guidance echoes across space and time, proving invaluable on Kara’s journey toward becoming Supergirl.

Based on the characters from DC Comics, the project, from Warner Bros. TV, studio-based Berlanti Prods. and writers/executive producers Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler, centers on Kara Zor-El (Benoist). Since arriving on Earth, the Krypton-born Kara has been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman. But now at age 24, she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be.

Tony winner Benanti is recurring on ABC’s country music drama Nashville. Her series credits also include stints on Nurse Jackie, Law & Order: SVU, Royal Pains and Go On.