Smallvillechanged the game ofsuperheroTV shows. It took canon events fromDC Comicsand created live-action, episodic narratives with stories that fans were familiar with. The 10-season series explores Clark Kent’s (Tom Welling) teenage years as a small-town farmboy and the journey to becomingSuperman.Smallvilleis as much of a superhero show as it is a teen drama, providing peak 2000s entertainment.
Clark is undoubtedlySmallville’sprotagonist; he experiences love, loss, and life lessons as his abilities develop. But it’s not titled “Superman” for a reason. Clark is the way that he is because of the town that shaped him.Each character inSmallvilleserves a purpose, bringing both minor and significant comic book plots to the small screen. From Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) to Clark Kent, these are the best characters inSmallville, ranked.
Smallville
A young Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world as he learns to harness his alien powers for good and deals with the typical troubles of teenage life in Smallville, Kansas.
10Alicia Baker
Played by Sarah Carter
During her brief time on the show, Alicia Baker (Sarah Carter) served as an ally and foil for Clark.She was one of the first people, aside from his family, to whom he revealed his powers; they bonded over superhuman abilities. The two handled their abilities quite differently as a way to cope and find purpose.Alicia’s death profoundly impacted Clarkand exemplified the dangers of the world beyond Smallville; he would discover this more as the series progressed.
So, while Alicia is only a minor character — and quite polarizing among fans — she serves an essential purpose. Alicia’s teleportation allowed her to be there for Clark at any time, sometimes to his detriment. They were just teenagers navigating coming-of-age with powers that inhibited them, as they sought solace in one another.
9Kara Zor-El/Supergirl
Played by Laura Vandervoort
As Clark grew up, his home life faded into the background. He needed a new form of family to carry him into the next stage of his life. While Clark’s friends aided him along the way, there was one person who truly understood the difficulties of life on Earth: Kara Zor-El (Laura Vandervoort).Supergirl’s origin story is consistentacross DC adaptations; she was older when Krypton was destroyed.Unlike Clark, she had to find a way to cope with this trauma in the form of dangerous habits.
Kara and Clark were wholly different, but still supported one another as they learned about their home planet. Unfortunately,Kara’s presence on the show wasn’t consistent; her storyline came too early in the series. Still, it showed a contrast between them as Clark’s humanity was more apparent thanks to his normal upbringing. Kara is a crucial character inSmallvillewho helped Clark connect with his pre-Earth past and move forward towards becoming Superman.
8Lionel Luthor
Played by John Glover
This powerful businessman was an original villain inSmallville, ashe established a factory in town, making empty promises of prosperity to its residents. He was more focused on power and wealth, rather than providing a supportive childhood for Lex; the effects of which fuel his son’s sentiments later in life. Lionel Luthor (John Glover) may not be a villain in the conventional sense, but he certainly created one in the process.
It isn’t easy to ascertain what Lionel’s intentions were throughoutSmallville. Particularly in later seasons, following the death of Jonathan Kent (John Schneider), he becomes both an emotional and financial support for Martha Kent (Annette O’Toole). Perhaps he sought to redeem himself from past actions as he teetered between good and evil. In many ways,Lionel’s tragic death did just that.
7Oliver Queen/Green Arrow
Played by Justin Hartley
TheDCU’s filmography encompasses a vast array of comic-to-movie adaptations. But Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) is not as commonly portrayed on screen. The billionaire CEO had ties to Lex and Lionel due to their family’s status, but Oliver remained uncorrupted by the wealth and power that the other two had.He rebelled against the values instilled in him and protected Metropolis and Star City under the guise of vigilante justice.
The billionaire CEO had ties to Lex and Lionel due to their family’s status, but Oliver remained uncorrupted…
Oliver was one of the first characters to appear on the show as it shifted towards more adult themes, first getting involved with Lois Lane (Erica Durance). Their relationship and his role on the show broughtSmallvilleinto the big world andblurred the lines of what it meant to protect people.The CWwould later give Oliver Queen his own series,Arrowwhich starredStephen Amell, and it’s fascinating to see the difference in portrayals.Smallville’s Oliver Queen was the perfect choice for the show’s tone.
6Martha Kent
Played by Annette O’Toole
Smallvilletakes place during Clark’s formative years when he was still living with his parents. So,unlike many other adaptationsof Superman,Smallvilleexplored Clark’s notable upbringing as a small-town farm boy.Martha (and Jonathan) showed their son unconditional love, akin to what humans are capable of. As Welling’s Clark grows up throughout ten seasons, we can see how their familial dynamic shaped him as a man and Superman.
Their humble parenting allowed Clark to be a teenager first, despite his otherworldly abilities.His father surely had a profound influence on Clark, mainly because he was alive for much of Clark’s story. However, it was Martha who was there the entire time. Interestingly, O’Toole has connections to theoriginal 1978Supermanfilm,where she played Lana Lang.
5Lana Lang
Played by Kristin Kreuk
Yes, Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) veers towards the dramatics – but this is The WB, after all. Lana and Clark’s complicated relationship is an example of a slow burn drawn out for too long. This went on for many seasons, and Lana would go on to become Clark’s first love.Fans hoped the two would stay together despite the inevitable pairing of Clark and Lois(as frustrating as it was, the inevitable is canon).
It sometimes felt likeSmallvillecouldn’t figure out what to do with Lana, especially after graduating. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it did impede potential storylines that never came to be – they had larger threats to face than protecting Lana over and over again. ButLana’s purpose inSmallville– and Superman’s story as a whole – is a constant for Clark’s development, eventually guiding Clark towards Lois.
4Chloe Sullivan
Played by Allison Mack
She wasthereporter long before Clark and Lois. During their high school years, Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack) ran the school newspaper, leading many investigations into single-episode run-ins with “meteor freaks.” In doing so, they unknowingly aided Clark’s efforts to take them down. In many ways, Chloe was the foundation ofSmallville. Ironically, this central character is one of the few to not appear in the original comics;she was created specifically for the series.
Chloe’s character arc is evident in many ways. Most notably, her allegiance to Clark. After learning his secret, she utilizes her roleat The Daily Planetto report on unusual incidents, but develops her own ethical code in the process. While she and Clark had frequent falling outs — partially due to her romantic interest in her best friend —they never stopped collaborating as their friendship deepened. Without Chloe, Clark would likely not have become the superhero he was destined to be.Smallvillehad the freedom to take Chloe in any direction, as she had no canon events to pull from.
3Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman
Played by Tom Welling
Taking on the role of Superman is a daunting feat. Welling had big shoes to fill — and he did. His portrayal may not be the best Superman,but it is undoubtedlythe best Clark Kent. There is a greater focus on Clark as a character, rather than his superhero alias.Smallvillebenefited from 10 seasons of character development, offering an opportunity to explore the comic characters' complexities in different ways.
It’s a captivating display of a humbled farm boy from the Midwest who happens to possess otherworldly powers. Welling received high praise from originalSuperman actor Christopher Reeve, who seemingly “passed the torch” and ushered in a new age of the beloved character.Welling’s Clark Kent served as the blueprint for future iterations of the character, particularly forJames Gunn’s recentSupermanmovie, leaving a legacy in its own right.
2Lois Lane
Played by Erica Durance
Smallville’sLois Lane is often regardedas one of the best portrayals of the headstrong reporter and Clark’s destined love interest. However, the character’s presence in the series extends beyond the canon. And while Lois might be considered a supporting role to Superman,Smallville’sversion is anything but.Lois is fiercely independent, considering her background as an army brat, and is placed in the series to transition from high school into young adulthood.
…While Lois might be considered a supporting role to Superman,Smallville’sversion is anything but.
It isn’t until later that Clark and Lois’s romantic connection develops.This can be attributed to a growing interest in her and Clark — it took only six seasons! Any Clark Kent/Superman-Lois pairing requires apparent chemistry between the two, andSmallvillehad that. After all, their relationship represents Clark’s human desires beneath superhuman powers. As Welling explained, “I think Lois became a great matchfor what Clark needed to bring him into the next level.”
1Lex Luthor
Played by Michael Rosenbaum
Thanks to its long run on air,Smallville’sLex Luthor benefited from a more in-depth origin story, which received much praise from fans and critics alike. Earlier seasons portrayed Clark and Lex as close friends; their bond was akin to that of brothers. However, over time, Lex’s true character emerged in the form of devious experiments, self-preservation, and personal vendettas against Clark.Lex’s transformation into Clark’s greatest foe is subtle but expected.
Superman movies and showsoften take creative liberties regarding Lex Luthor. In many ways,Smallvilleaims to humanize him by providing a complex backstory fueled by death, alienation, and vengeance. Ultimately,Lex becomes less of a character that fans sympathize with as he succumbs to the darker nature of his environment. In many ways, Rosenbaum can be thanked for the success ofthis adaptation of Lex. He is not a one-dimensional character, but rather one who struggles with misconstrued values that he continues to battle throughout the series.
