Rachel Brosnahan Studied Real Journalists to Perfect Her Lois Lane in ‘Superman’

More than a dozen actresses played Lois Lane in movies and TV shows, including Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durance, and Amy Adams. Most of them portrayed Lois as a fearless, determined journalist with a strong personality and sharp wit.

They all brought different styles to the role, but the common thread was Lois’s passion for uncovering the truth and her deep connection with Superman. No matter the version, Lois Lane has always been a smart, independent woman who isn’t afraid to take risks.

The next live-action Lois Lane we’ll have the privilege of seeing is Rachel Brosnahan. She certainly looks the part, and so far, fan reception to her casting has been overwhelmingly positive.

It’s clear that Brosnahan’s commitment to portraying Lois Lane goes beyond just appearances, as she recently revealed while speaking to THR. The actress shared that, rather than seeking advice from past Lois Lane actresses, she focused on understanding the journalism aspect of the character.

To prepare for the role, she spoke with several real-life journalists to gain insight into how modern reporters think and work. Her goal was to make her version of Lois Lane feel authentic, emphasizing her intelligence, determination, and passion for uncovering the truth.

I felt like I was focused on the journalism piece. I spoke to a handful of journalists who really helped me get inside the head of a modern reporter.

Rachel Brosnahan explained that Lois Lane has evolved over the years to reflect the changing role of journalists in different eras. She sees Lois as a modern, relentless, and slightly messy reporter—someone who is intense and driven to uncover the truth.

To bring this version to life, she relied on the insights of real journalists to understand what it’s like to work in the industry today. This approach helped her shape a Lois Lane that feels fresh, authentic, and true to the times.

I feel like one of the interesting things about this character is that she’s changed so much from her inception to kind of reflect what it would look like to be a modern, relentless, kind of intense, slightly messy reporter of that time. So I feel like I really relied on the handful of journalists I spoke to to help me build her.

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