DC’s Stargirl is welcoming a new member to its universe. Airing on the CW network, the show announced Thursday that Jim Gaffigan (Troop Zero) is joining the superhero drama as it heads into the second season according to Entertainment Weekly.
Gaffigan is a well known comedian who primarily performs stand up sets along with appearing in several television shows and films. He created and starred in his own television show The Jim Gaffigan Show, which ran for two seasons on TV Land from 2015-2016. He also has several stand up specials streaming on Netflix, including his most recent from 2017, Cinco.
Gaffigan will be portraying the voice of the CGI character Thunderbolt in season two of Stargirl. Thunderbolt is a pink imp who is able to grant wishes. Entertainment Weekly picked up the official description of the character: “The wishes he grants often cause more trouble than the wish-asker would ever expect. But despite his somewhat constant supernatural disasters, the Thunderbolt’s heart is always in the right place, even if it is wounded by the friends he has lost throughout his long existence.” Gaffigan is sure to add a comedic element to the role in addition to Thunderbolt’s dangerous and unpredictable power.
The coming-of-age superhero drama stars Brec Bassinger (47 Meters Down: Uncaged) as high schooler Courtney Whitmore who becomes superhero Stargirl. The show also features several of Courtney’s high school classmates who live double lives as students and a new generation of superheroes. This includes actors Yvette Monreal as Yolanda Montez /Wildcat II, (Rambo: Last Blood), Anjelika Washington (Tall Girl) as Beth Chapel/Doctor Mid-Nite II, and Cameron Gellman as Rick Tyler/ Hourman II. Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde) stars as Courtney’s stepfather.
Stargirl takes place within the DC Universe, and is based on the DC comics created and written by Geoff Johns (Arrow) and Lee Moder (Young Justice). Johns also serves as the series creator. It’s executive produced by Johns, Glen Winter (Smallville), Melissa Carter (Queen Sugar), Greg Berlanti (You), and Sarah Schechter (Black Lightning). Season one of Stargirl aired in 2020 and consisted of thirteen hour long episodes. Season two is expected to premiere in 2021.