Smallville’s “Black Canary” Alaina Huffman will be making her first appearance at one of Creation’s all-Smallville fan conventions with Salute to Smallville this weekend, October 13-14 just outside of Chicago, Illinois. You can read more about the convention here, but in short, this will be the ultimate fan experience: Over a dozen actors from Smallville (including almost the entire Season 1 cast!), fan-favorite guest stars, autographs, photo opportunities, panels… oh, and the event is emceed by myself (KryptonSite’s Craig Byrne) and House of El’s Derek Russell!
We spoke with Alaina in anticipation of this weekend’s show, and full disclosure, she’s always been a favorite around here, so it was a privilege to get to speak with her again. The interview follows below.
KRYPTONSITE’S CRAIG BYRNE: You’ve been doing Creation conventions for a while, especially with Supernatural. How did you first become involved with these shows?
ALAINA HUFFMAN: My very first convention ever was actually San Diego. It was to launch Stargate [Stargate Universe], and I did not know what to expect. And then, I was made aware of the Creation Tour and how big it was. And so I first started with Stargate, and then, and then Supernatural’s just become its whole own event. It’s been such a blessing. We’ve just been on tour for, gosh, over the last 15 years and 20 years for Creation, 15 years for me.
What surprised you about the convention experience?
I didn’t know it existed. First of all, I had no clue. Like I said, San Diego was the first one [that I went to]. And it’s such a, like, huge media show. And of course, we launched a new show and, you know, we had a packed room and I remember I was married at the time and we were sitting on the panel and I was just looking out in this huge room of people, and my husband had texted me under the table and he was like “say something! They’ll like you!” because I was really overwhelmed. I didn’t know. It really is a complete different aspect of the business that I was really unaware of, and it’s actually been such a surprising treat. I mean, we, we’ve really cultivated, particularly with Supernatural, and Stargate as well, and Smallville also, this big global family. We’ve been able to do really amazing philanthropic endeavors with the Supernatural fandom and just really connect with people.
I’ve been at my table where people have met for the first time in person, where there’s one from England and one from somewhere in America, and they’ve been friends for years online because of a show. Yeah. It’s just such a cool experience to be a part of. Seeing the joy as we look out… we’re always amazed. We always kind of come back to the green room after our panels and we’re like, “did you ask the audience who’s there for the first time?” And about 40% or 50% of the audience, it’s their first time attending.
I always ask [the fans], “what made you transition from watching the show to attending the events?” And they all just say “it looks like so much fun. We watched the panels online and we’ve made friends online and we just we want to show up.” And so, we try to make it a really fun experience for everybody.
And the other really sweet thing that’s happening with Supernatural that I really first witnessed with Stargate was that families would come together. And so Stargate, because it was running so long, and I was sort of on the tail end of that show… people would come with their kid that’s like towering over them and they’re like, “oh, we started watching this show on Friday nights because we had a baby. We couldn’t go out.” And now, you’re kind of part of their family. We’re also getting that a lot with Supernatural, like a lot of mothers and daughters or a lot of dads and daughters, and it’s just really sweet. You feel like part of their family.
How did you get involved with this year’s Salute to Smallville show?
Just the same. I’ve been in the Creation family for so long, and, of course, being on Smallville, we’re all really close. They’re pretty much out on tour as well. So I see Tom and Rosey and Erica and Kristin and everybody sort of out and about. So, yeah, I was invited, and I said yes.
Is there anyone that you’re particularly excited to see again that maybe you haven’t seen in a while from when you did Smallville?
Truthfully, we’ve all been on tour, so I get to catch up with everybody. Most recently, who I haven’t seen in a while is Justin [Hartley]. He’s been busy working, but we talk every now and again. He’s up in Vancouver working on Tracker. Actually, I have an audition for Tracker that I’m going to do right after I get off the phone with you. So, hopefully I get to see him soon! But, yeah, it’s nice. I was just on Tom and Rosey’s podcast TalkVille because they just did my entry episode [“Siren”], so that was fun.
Going back over 15 years now, what was your reaction when you originally booked the role of the Black Canary?
So the interesting thing is, and I talked about this on TalkVille… they didn’t tell me what the role was. I had gone in with dummy sides, and it was like a two page audition, and they didn’t ,name her. I think they should call her “Woman.” And, then when they called me to ask my availability and contracts and all that, they were like, “okay, well, you booked the job. It’s going to be an arc. We don’t have a lot of details yet, and we’re not going to tell you who the character is.”
This was kind of when I was first made aware of NDAs and sort of spoilers and that whole genre world. I was really kind of unaware at how sort of secretive and precious that kind of stuff was.
They did eventually tell me. I don’t know if I signed an NDA, but it definitely was like a “you’re not allowed to talk about this until we say” kind of thing. I was a little overwhelmed, vut also, she’s such a great character, so I got to do a lot of reading up on her. There’s so much mythology on her, and years of comics to sort of devour, so I had lots to pull from, which was really cool.
Was there ever talk of spinning off you and Justin into your own series after the “Siren” episode? Yes. Every time we were at work, they were like “Star City! Tuesday nights!”
And they go and make a whole Arrow show without us.
I showed one of my friends the “Siren” episode a couple months ago was like, doesn’t this feel like a pilot for a show? Because it really did. Do you think they tried to make that happen?
I think that was the goal. I know they did the Aquaman show this season before, and then they brought Justin back when it didn’t get picked up, [now] as Green Arrow. I think they did try with all of the superheroes. I think that was sort of their idea, to do a whole universe, and it just didn’t.. I don’t know what happened.
That brings up an interesting question. It was rumored that you, Justin, and Alan Ritchson filmed a Justice League “mini pilot” after the Season 8 premiere was shot, because around that time you all did a photoshoot in costume that made people think something more was going on.
No, that was just for press… we just did that on a regular work day.
Have you kept up with the other interpretations of the Black Canary that have followed you?
Yeah, a little bit. I mean, Katie [Cassidy] and I are friends. Julianna [Harkavy] and I are friends. I’ve seen episodes of Arrow. I’ve stopped by the set. David Ramsey’s a really good friend. He’s one of my best friends. I’m familiar with that universe, but, I didn’t really follow up. At one point, they were going to do a Black Canary spinoff in the Berlantiverse. And I pitched to… I think it was Sera Gamble at the time when they were when they were talking about it. I pitched that they could bring me in as sort of like the den mom, like the OG Canary, because they were going to have all these Black Canaries. They seemed to like that idea, but it didn’t get picked up.
What can fans do with you at the convention this weekend?
There’s a meet and greet. I’m sure there’s an evening event I think we’ll just be at our tables [signing autographs and taking photos], and I’m sure there’s going to be some panels. It’s always fun to have group discussions. Come say hi!
[You can see the Salute to Smallville 2025 schedule here.]
What else have you been up to that fans should keep an eye out for?
I have a movie that’s premiering. It’s called Waltzing With Brando, and it will be out in theaters on September 19th. Billy Zane plays Marlon Brando. It takes place in the 1970s. And it’s about, Marlon Brando wanting to inhabit his island of tent ROA. And Jon Heder plays the architect who makes it happen, and I play John’s wife. Dana, and we sort of camp out in Tahiti for three years while we make what now is a very luxurious hotel called the Brando.
See a trailer for Alaina’s new film below and be sure to get your Salute to Smallville tickets! The fun starts Saturday, September 13 in the Chicago area!