Smallville's 25th Anniversary: Welling and Rosenbaum Reflect on Legacy and Creative Freedom

Key points

• Welling and Rosenbaum discussed the show's 25th anniversary, noting its role in popularizing superhero origin stories on television.
• Creators Gough and Millar highlighted their freedom to invent new mythology, such as the meteor shower and the Clark-Lex friendship, which they say would not be permitted under current canon rules.
• Rosenbaum left after Season 7 due to a contract dispute but returned for the 2011 finale, which he described as an emotional experience.
• The show's pilot drew 8.4 million viewers, a record for The WB at the time, and it ran for 10 seasons and 217 episodes.
• Gough and Millar compared the 22-episode network model of 'Smallville' to the 8-episode streaming model of their current show, 'Wednesday.'
• The series is finding new audiences internationally via Netflix, with Gough and Millar expressing openness to future explorations of the character.

Background

The 25th anniversary of 'Smallville' coincides with recent viral moments involving Tom Welling, including an accidental nude photo posted during New York Comic Con in October 2026. The show's creators, Gough and Millar, are currently producing 'Wednesday' for Netflix, a series that shares DNA with 'Smallville' in exploring the untold chapters of iconic characters. The show's legacy is often discussed in the context of the evolution of superhero media, from the WB to the CW and into the streaming era.

How outlets are covering it

Variety focuses on the personal relationship between Welling and Rosenbaum, highlighting their rewatch podcast and the emotional weight of the finale. The Ringer and TheWrap emphasize the show's historical significance, with Gough and Millar stressing the creative freedom they had due to a lack of interest in superheroes at the time. TheWrap notes the contrast between the 'Smallville' era and today's strict adherence to canon, while The Ringer details the show's influence on the CW's Arrowverse. All sources agree on the show's impact but differ in emphasis: Variety on cast dynamics, The Ringer on industry legacy, and TheWrap on creative constraints.

Why it matters

The 25th anniversary of 'Smallville' underscores the show's foundational role in the modern superhero TV landscape. Its success helped pave the way for the CW's Arrowverse and influenced the shift from network to streaming models. The creators' reflections on creative freedom versus canon adherence highlight the changing dynamics of IP adaptation in entertainment.

What to watch

Gough and Millar have expressed openness to exploring 'Smallville' again, though they note the challenges of navigating DC's current IP landscape. The show continues to find new audiences on Netflix in international markets, and the creators are currently focused on the third season of 'Wednesday,' which is expected to air in 2027.