Kelly Olsen’s Guardian needs a spin-off after Supergirl ends

With Azie Tesfai’s Kelly Olsen becoming Guardian in the final stretch of Supergirl season 6, it’s clear there’s so much more story to be told with her.

A relative newcomer to the Arrowverse, Azie Tesfai’s Kelly Olsen quickly made her mark on The CW’s Supergirl, and the fans were fast to welcome her into their hearts. Now, as Supergirl launches into its final 13 episodes, Kelly Olsen is stepping up to become yet another hero protecting National City: Guardian.

It’s rather shameful that this development is coming only when the series has 13 episodes left, instead of really introducing and building this story up throughout Supergirl season 5. Even with only being around a little over a full season now, she already stands as one of the most inspiring, exciting, and wonderful characters in the entire Arrowverse. Here’s why.

The bright light that is Kelly Olsen

Younger sister to James “Jimmy” Olsen, otherwise known as Superman’s best friend, Kelly Olsen has had quite a hard life. She lost her father at a young age, experienced war firsthand, lost her fiancée, and had to deal with the stress of being Jimmy Olsen’s sister (as Jimmy could not stop himself from getting into dangerous situations throughout his entire life).

Despite this, Kelly has never lost her more optimistic outlook on life. She struggles, like anyone would after what she’s endured, as we see in her relationship with Alex Danvers and the fear that comes with being partnered to someone that is putting their life at risk on the frontlines every day. But, above all, Kelly will always put herself second to help someone… or an entire city, as we’ll shortly see on Supergirl season 6 when she suits up to join the Super Friends out in the field.

Throughout her time on Supergirl, Kelly has been the voice of reason, trust, and compassion for many. She sees what our heroes have endured, hoping to help take some of that burden off of their shoulders. That’s why she was even involved with Obsidian North in the first place, as she truly hoped the VR project that Andrea Rojas was championing would help people in various ways, like helping someone deal with PTSD.

Plus, it’s very clear that Kelly has no problems with making new friends. She cozied up to the Supergirl gang so quickly and easily, it really feels like she’s been there all along (and, boy, don’t we wish she had been?). Her presence fills those around her with comfort, as that’s just the type of person she is. She has such deep understanding and empathy for anyone she comes into contact with, which alone is enough to hope to see her role in the Arrowverse continue.

No one else is on Kelly Olsen’s level.

Becoming Guardian

Since we learned that Kelly Olsen would become Guardian in an interview with the Supergirl showrunners for Entertainment Weekly, I’ve wondered: Why the wait? Why did this not happen earlier in the show, say post-Crisis on Infinite Earths? Or at some point before (spoiler) Kara escaped the Phantom Zone on Supergirl season 6, episode 7? Leaving it until there is only half of the final season left just feels… disappointing.

Kelly is going to have to put in the work to fight alongside the Super Friends, too. Fighting aliens in National City is no easy thing for a human to do, and takes quite a bit of extra training… just ask Alex. As exciting as it is for Kelly to finally step into her brother’s shoes (and be a better hero), it’s just shrouded by the fact that the stories of National City’s residents will come to an end later this year.

Obviously, given the brilliance of Kelly Olsen as a character and that we shouldn’t lose her any time soon, she needs a spin-off where she is (one of) the main characters. Azie Tesfai is too good at her job to lose, and clearly cares so much about her character. But, if we were given a spin-off, who should join her?

A crime-fighting duo?

The simplest answer is Alex Danvers, of course. Given their romantic relationship and neither of them being alien, they could really be on even footing as a crime-fighting team. It is also probable that Alex and Kelly will be taking their relationship to the next level and adopting a child later this season (as that has been a very large part of Alex’s story since season 3). But having a spin-off without one-half of this iconic relationship wouldn’t be impossible, Alex could always make appearances throughout.

Another ideal candidate would be Nia Nal, who is also getting similar treatment to Kelly. Though she’s been around since the start of season 4, Nia’s alien powers are just now (finally) being developed. Nia’s finally going to realize the full potential of what she can do, and then it’ll just be over. It’s sad to think about, really, considering how much of season 5 felt like an absolute waste of time when stories like this were just waiting to be told. Kelly and Nia haven’t had much of a relationship on the show, which would be another fun thing to explore on a Dreamer and Guardian spin-off show.

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Lena Luthor would make an interesting duo partner, as well. Lena’s still a character rife with potential after all of these years, as Supergirl is just beginning to explore who she is outside of the Luthor family. Plus, based on the little teases of Kelly and Lena together that we’ve seen, these two would play very well off of each other. Kelly in the field, Lena behind the computer, what could go wrong?

If a spin-off doesn’t happen, my hope is that Kelly Olsen will make her way over to Gotham and fight alongside Batwoman for a little while. Guardian would be a much better fit for the criminals of Gotham than the aliens with enhanced speed and strength roaming National City, and it would give Kelly a chance to use her skills, both as a hero and professionally, to make Gotham a safer place. Can anyone imagine anything more beautiful than Ryan and Kelly working side-by-side?

(A Guardian and Black Canary team-up would be killer, too, just to throw another idea out there if anyone important is reading!)

Kelly’s too good to lose, so we need to find some way to keep her in the Arrowverse well into the future, please!

Would you like to see more of Kelly Olsen after Supergirl concludes? Let us know in the comments below!