Melissa Benoist shines in The Waterfront and discusses her journey from Supergirl to darker roles.

Melissa Benoist recently took on a role that was unlike anything she had previously done. She plays Bree Buckley in Netflix's new criminal drama, The Waterfront. Benoist told Tudum that she had "never played a role like this" and was grateful to creator Kevin Williamson for giving her the opportunity. Benoist would text Williamson every time she received a new screenplay, especially as Bree's story progressed and we discovered more about her past. She'd thank him for entrusting her with the persona. It appears that this was a very personal performing experience for her.

Bree is undeniably different from Benoist's most recognized figure. She is not at all like the Girl of Steel from Supergirl. When viewers meet Bree in The Waterfront, she is trying to recover from addiction. She is struggling to regain the faith of her parents, Harlan (Holt McCallany) and Belle Buckley (Maria Bello). She also wishes to win back her angry teenage son Diller (Brady Hepner). Diller lives with her ex-husband. Bree badly wants to overcome her self-destructive habits. She intends to secure a position at her family's faltering waterfront business. She is also determined to exact revenge on her brother Cane (Jake Weary). She blames him for losing custody of her son. She teams up with Marcus (Gerardo Celasco), a discredited DEA agent. Together, they intend to reveal Cane's illicit methods for keeping the Buckleys' business running. In short, she jeopardizes the exact thing she wants to be a part of. It seems like a lot for one person to handle.

Benoist remarked that she enjoys "how messy Bree is." She stated that Bree is reactive and does not always consider things through. Bree is impetuous, but yet very loyal. She has a lot of love to give and a strong desire to be liked and belong. Benoist felt a strong connection to her. In Bree's defense, she has no idea how horrible her family's position is. Buckley's legacy is on the line. Harlan and Cane begin working with a powerful and often cruel drug dealer. This is their final effort to keep all they treasure. However, no one is actually protected from the serious issues that await the Buckley family. Over the course of eight episodes, Bree must decide where her true loyalty rests. She needs to determine how far she will go for whichever side she chooses.

Melissa Benoist's Transformation from Superhero to Complex Character in The Waterfront.

The actress opens out about playing a role that is so different from Supergirl's Kara Danvers.

Benoist stated why this seemed like the ideal fit for her right now. It involves serious and tough issues. What Bree has gone through is so difficult to hear. Benoist anticipated it would be a challenge, which is what she seeks for in a role. She felt prepared for this type of acting challenge. It's a tremendous departure from her previous work, particularly Supergirl. Benoist admitted that for a long time, she was accustomed to playing the "good guy." Kara Danvers encountered moral issues that were not her fault. Bree, on the other hand, caused a lot of her own problems. Nonetheless, life gave her a very difficult hand.

Understanding Bree's poor decisions was part of what made the job tough. Benoist stated that it is always difficult when a character makes decisions you disagree with. Bree makes some very poor decisions. She burned down a house while inebriated, with her son inside. She gives drugs to someone she knows is struggling with addiction, knowing he would overdose. Some of her behaviors are really questionable. But for Benoist, the guiding thought was that Bree couldn't help it. Bree had chosen the road of loyalty. Her relationship with her son provided strong justification for her activities as an actress. Bree was genuinely attempting to repair the damage she had caused.

Preparing for the part of someone recovering from addiction was critical. Benoist stated that addiction is unfortunately common today. She witnessed it firsthand in her own family. She did not directly refer to that particular circumstance. However, witnessing it happen helped her grasp it more. She also read Leslie Jamison's book, The Recovering Intoxication and Its Aftermath. This book examines how easy it is to conceal addiction and how quickly it can devastate a person's life. Benoist found the book very helpful in determining Bree's emotional feelings. The writing was also quite helpful. Kevin Williamson is good at getting everything on the page, so he performed a lot of the work.

Melissa Benoist's Deep Connection to The Waterfront's Cast and Crew

How Personal Stories and Professionalism Shaped the Filming Experience for All Involved

Knowing that Kevin Williamson loosely modeled the show on his own life gave Benoist a greater sense of responsibility. But she believes Williamson is brilliant at bringing people together. He casts actors with whom he has a natural rapport. This helps them make the story come to life. This performance was no different. The cast worked well together and had amazing chemistry. They really enjoyed each other, both on and off screen. Benoist was driven and inspired by Williamson's bravery and honesty in telling his tale. She believes there is a piece of him in every character. Everyone wanted to do right by him.

Benoist also discussed the cast's chemistry. For the first month, she felt like an outsider on set, much like her role. She did not have any scenes with anyone else. Others were working together, but she was primarily with Gerardo Celasco. She was also going between Los Angeles and North Carolina. However, once they started filming together, it became easier. She discovered that everyone was professional and prepared to work. This allowed them everyone to get to know one another. Despite their differences, they felt like a family by the end. They spent a lot of time at the beach and ate at three favorite restaurants nearly every night. It felt like summer camp to them.

Benoist discovered new aspects of herself as an actor when playing the mother of a teenager. She discovered that situations in which she was struggling for her child hit extremely near to life. She is a boy mom who would do anything for her son. These scenes were the easiest to connect with emotionally. It felt almost too familiar to her. That type of love is deep and powerful. However, these scenes were the most difficult to play. She would never want her own child to be in this circumstance. She feels that everyone has moments when they recognize their parents as human beings for the first time. Diller already discussed this with his mother. But in the show, we watch him begin to forgive her. He sees her doing her best.

Benoist's most satisfying scene with Brady Hepner was on the yacht. They were both kidnapped and eventually spoke about what happened. This was incredibly pleasant for both actors. Hepner is a great young actor. The scene was also symbolically intriguing. Diller is in a closet, just like Bree was as a child when she witnessed her grandfather's death. It felt like a complete circle moment. She had to confront the position that she and her kid were in. She had a strong desire to protect him. That scene struck her as very powerful.

Kevin Williamson informed Benoist early on that Bree witnessed her grandfather's murder. However, reading the script made it feel utterly different. It is a dreadful and frightening experience for a young girl to witness. Then she had to keep it a secret from practically everyone, except her mother. It's unimaginable for a youngster to endure that weight. When Benoist learnt this knowledge, everything about Bree fell into place and made sense.

Bree's Darkest Moments and the Future of Her Family Bonds.

Exploring the Character's Difficult Decisions and Hope for Acceptance

Bree's decision to provoke Marcus's relapse and finally kill him demonstrates how far she will go for her family. It demonstrates how much she wants to be adored. Initially, she is using him to get back at Cane. But when Cane tells Bree that Marcus might damage their family's legacy, she transforms. Her loyalty is always with her family. She is strongly loyal to those she cares about because she wants to feel noticed and acknowledged. This terrible sacrifice, however, helps her and Cane reconcile. Benoist stated that these were her favorite episodes to shoot. It was like a comfort for them to be honest with one other as characters. It was a reunion for siblings who had been feuding for years. It seemed like a step towards healing for them.

Bree's perception of Cane changes as a result of her experience. They both begin to realize they are victims of circumstance. You do not choose your family. This family has distinct ways of doing things, which they both had to deal with. They did things their own way. They both perceive each other as two persons who tried their best with the resources they were given. It's a lovely moment when they both realize it wasn't entirely their fault. Bree also makes a breakthrough with her mother. Benoist thinks that this will lead to a closer relationship between them. Bree realizes her mother was attempting to protect her. It was just not what Bree needed. Williamson told Benoist that he saw Bree as the truth teller. She says what's what. She states on the episode, "We don't talk about the bad s--- in this family." But Bree is the one who speaks out. She is the one who raises the problem. This moment with Belle is important because Bree never felt good enough for her mom. She finally sees that her mom was trying to protect her even though it did not feel like that before.

Benoist's most tough day on set was completely practical. It was during episode 5 when Bree relapses and falls on the street. It was really chilly outside, and the water was frozen. Every time she fainted water got on her face. She tried not to breathe it in. But even with these difficulties the show was fun to make. They all had a great time working together. Bree's relationship with her family improves significantly at the end of the season. Benoist hopes Bree finds a real place in the family business. She hopes they bring her in and that she feels strong and confident in that role.

Melissa Benoist Looks Ahead: From Supergirl Legacy to Future Projects

The Actress Expresses Support for New DCU Stars and Reflects on Her Iconic Role

Melissa Benoist has weighed in on the upcoming Superman and Supergirl movies in James Gunn’s DC Universe. Benoist who played Supergirl for over half a decade in the Arrowverse supports the new films. She was asked if the new Superman movie was on her radar. She replied that once you wear the cape you are part of a small group of people. It feels special when any version of the story comes to life. She will be there to support. She did not know if Milly Alcock the new Supergirl would be in Gunn's Superman film. She said she is "more excited for her telling of Supergirl" admitting she is biased. It is clear that she holds her time as Supergirl with high regard and is happy to see the legacy continue.

Melissa Benoist is married to actor Chris Wood. She met him on the set of Supergirl. He played Mon-El. Chris Wood is also known for playing Kai Parker in The Vampire Diaries. Benoist was married to her Glee co-star Blake Jenner before. She and Chris Wood began dating in 2017. They announced their engagement in 2019. Benoist shared the news on Instagram saying "yes yes yes it will always be yes." They welcomed their son Huxley Robert in September 2020. She shared that he arrived a few weeks earlier and that "this little boy is everything."

It is clear Melissa Benoist is stepping into a new phase of her career. She is taking on roles that challenge her in different ways. From the hopeful Kara Danvers to the complicated Bree Buckley she continues to explore the depths of human experience on screen. Her dedication to her craft and her support for fellow actors show a genuine passion for storytelling. I am certainly looking forward to seeing what she does next.