Stargirl actor Trae Romano on bringing Cosmic Staff relief to the show as Courtney's younger brother
'Stargirl' is presented as a show about family and the family of Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) has expanded. While her comic book counterpart had a new stepfather to deal with, the show features Trai Romano as Mike Dugan, the son of Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), and Courtney's half-brother. In an exclusive interview with, Romano talks about bringing his character and Mike to the show.
Both Shazam and Stargirl are in the headlines. You all must have seen him in modern live action films and television shows. Both have interesting history. While their relationship will be seen in their films or TV shows, both superheroes have been seen with truly tragic consequences.
How did you get introduced to the character?
I was first brought to the mic when I got my audition. I immediately liked him. He is a kind of smart alec who might say that about me. From the first day of filming, I met Geoff (Johns) and he went into detail about Mike and how he looked. He told me during our meeting that I hit the nail on the head with Mike Dugan.
What can you tell us about that?
Mike is a typical eighth-grader, obsessed with video games and junk food, trying to find his own way. He tries to cover his sensitive side with humor and quick rebound.
In the comics, Courtney Whitmore never had a brother. What do you think your character adds to the show?
Mike adds comic relief to scenes that are otherwise serious. He tries to lighten the mood with subtle disrespect towards his older sister, but Mike has a softer side that begins to develop over the season.
How is Mike Dugan relationship with his father? How is he adjusting himself to the new family?
Mike and Pat have been on their own for a long time. They have a very strong bond. It has always been just the two of them, so it is difficult to share it with a new wife and stepdaughter now and sometimes get upset with him.
What does Mike think of superheroes? Does he see them? Does he have a favorite?
I think he does, I mean, who doesn't? If he had a favorite superhero, he would probably be Shazam or one of those lines. Someone who does not fit the specific definition of a superhero.
Can you tell us what we can expect from 'Stargirl'?
You can expect a wide variety of drama, comedy, action and everything in between. The way it is filmed and the color is categorized is like a film in a series that really makes 'Stargirl' stand out.
Have you had any memorable moments on the set? Have you ever been involved in action sequences?
There was a memorable moment when I was an emotional scene. Geoff asked me to watch the replay and told me that he was very happy with what he had done and I am proud that I was able to reach that place. Some other memorable moments cannot be revealed - you have to see and know.
This occurred during the time when both Billy Batman and Stargirl joined the Justice Society of America and it was found that adult-looking hero Captain Marvel was actually a sixteen-year-old teenager. The discovery comes at the end of JSA # 47 when both Courtney and Captain Marvel are seen in the alternate area The Shadowlands. Captain Marvel cannot convey his powers and reverence to the true form of Billy Batson. So this change shocks Courtney, and in the next issue the two travel together, making Courtney realize Billy when he is not an adult superhero. After that, once fleeing from Shadowland, Billy and Courtney start dating, but there is an apparent problem in the meantime.
Billy and Courtney spend most of their time as superheroes and Billy looks like an adult as Captain Marvel, so his flirting with Stargirl is considered inappropriate by his teammates (who don't know his exact age). Captain Marvel arrives for Courtney as Billy Batson, who prioritizes his teenage identity. Unable to see another option, Captain Marvel turns to Courtney and tells him that he is leaving the Justice Society.
While staying there, Courtney asks him to return as Billy Batson, but he is not impressed and flees as Captain Marvel. Now years later, Billy lost his powers and gave his true identity to the Justice Society of America, accepting Stargirl name for their relationship. At the same time, Billy and Courtney tried to reunite, but before their relationship could proceed, the New 52 events rebooted the DC universe. Whereas, this apparently erases the brief relationship between Captain Marvel / Shazam and Stargirl, the two reunite in the new universe and reveal a passing attraction.
Now ironically, in the pre-New 52 universe both were of the same age, the rebooted timeline might have Billy's stargirl a few years older than her normal teens, making her age an issue. It gets complicated after that, but thanks to the power of retake and Shazam, Billy Batson may never get a chance to date someone with his age. According to him, especially when that age is constantly changing.
'Stargirl' is presented as a show about family and the family of Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) has expanded. While her comic book counterpart had a new stepfather to deal with, the show features Trai Romano as Mike Dugan, the son of Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), and Courtney's half-brother. In an exclusive interview with, Romano talks about bringing his character and Mike to the show.
Both Shazam and Stargirl are in the headlines. You all must have seen him in modern live action films and television shows. Both have interesting history. While their relationship will be seen in their films or TV shows, both superheroes have been seen with truly tragic consequences.
How did you get introduced to the character?
I was first brought to the mic when I got my audition. I immediately liked him. He is a kind of smart alec who might say that about me. From the first day of filming, I met Geoff (Johns) and he went into detail about Mike and how he looked. He told me during our meeting that I hit the nail on the head with Mike Dugan.
What can you tell us about that?
Mike is a typical eighth-grader, obsessed with video games and junk food, trying to find his own way. He tries to cover his sensitive side with humor and quick rebound.
In the comics, Courtney Whitmore never had a brother. What do you think your character adds to the show?
Mike adds comic relief to scenes that are otherwise serious. He tries to lighten the mood with subtle disrespect towards his older sister, but Mike has a softer side that begins to develop over the season.
How is Mike Dugan relationship with his father? How is he adjusting himself to the new family?
Mike and Pat have been on their own for a long time. They have a very strong bond. It has always been just the two of them, so it is difficult to share it with a new wife and stepdaughter now and sometimes get upset with him.
What does Mike think of superheroes? Does he see them? Does he have a favorite?
I think he does, I mean, who doesn't? If he had a favorite superhero, he would probably be Shazam or one of those lines. Someone who does not fit the specific definition of a superhero.
Can you tell us what we can expect from 'Stargirl'?
You can expect a wide variety of drama, comedy, action and everything in between. The way it is filmed and the color is categorized is like a film in a series that really makes 'Stargirl' stand out.
Have you had any memorable moments on the set? Have you ever been involved in action sequences?
There was a memorable moment when I was an emotional scene. Geoff asked me to watch the replay and told me that he was very happy with what he had done and I am proud that I was able to reach that place. Some other memorable moments cannot be revealed - you have to see and know.
This occurred during the time when both Billy Batman and Stargirl joined the Justice Society of America and it was found that adult-looking hero Captain Marvel was actually a sixteen-year-old teenager. The discovery comes at the end of JSA # 47 when both Courtney and Captain Marvel are seen in the alternate area The Shadowlands. Captain Marvel cannot convey his powers and reverence to the true form of Billy Batson. So this change shocks Courtney, and in the next issue the two travel together, making Courtney realize Billy when he is not an adult superhero. After that, once fleeing from Shadowland, Billy and Courtney start dating, but there is an apparent problem in the meantime.
Billy and Courtney spend most of their time as superheroes and Billy looks like an adult as Captain Marvel, so his flirting with Stargirl is considered inappropriate by his teammates (who don't know his exact age). Captain Marvel arrives for Courtney as Billy Batson, who prioritizes his teenage identity. Unable to see another option, Captain Marvel turns to Courtney and tells him that he is leaving the Justice Society.
While staying there, Courtney asks him to return as Billy Batson, but he is not impressed and flees as Captain Marvel. Now years later, Billy lost his powers and gave his true identity to the Justice Society of America, accepting Stargirl name for their relationship. At the same time, Billy and Courtney tried to reunite, but before their relationship could proceed, the New 52 events rebooted the DC universe. Whereas, this apparently erases the brief relationship between Captain Marvel / Shazam and Stargirl, the two reunite in the new universe and reveal a passing attraction.
Now ironically, in the pre-New 52 universe both were of the same age, the rebooted timeline might have Billy's stargirl a few years older than her normal teens, making her age an issue. It gets complicated after that, but thanks to the power of retake and Shazam, Billy Batson may never get a chance to date someone with his age. According to him, especially when that age is constantly changing.
