‘Supergirl’: Chyler Leigh On How Alex, Maggie’s Love Story Impacted Her Personal Life

Alex (Chyler Leigh) and Maggie’s (Floriana Lima) love story on “Supergirl” has touched the lives of several viewers, but unbeknown to many, the show’s LGBTQ storyline has also made an impact on Leigh’s personal life.

In a recent interview with Variety, Leigh revealed that the introduction of Alex and Maggie’s relationship to the show gave her the opportunity to enlighten her eldest child, Noah, about LGBTQ rights.

“My 13-year-old son has watched every episode, [so] it opened up a conversation that I might have waited longer to have,” Leigh shared. “He said, ‘I don’t understand why they would do that with your character.’ To say, ‘Everybody needs to be treated equally’ was amazing…. I’ve never been this passionate about my work, mostly because of the impact it’s having.”

READ: What will happen in Season 2, episode 19 of “Supergirl”?

Due to the fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ community on “Supergirl,” the show was nominated for outstanding drama series for this year’s GLAAD Media Awards. Although it was Freeform’s “Shadowhunters” that ultimately took home the award, Leigh wrote in an Instagram post ahead of the awards ceremony earlier this month that all of them from “Supergirl” were already grateful just to be simply nominated.

“There was no way we would have known the impact that this would have had,” Leigh told People at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards ceremony. “We definitely wanted [Alex and Maggie’s relationship] to be a strong representation, and that’s why we’ve thought so hard about it and wanted it to be beautifully done. So I’m just really happy with the writers of ‘Supergirl,’ who have really brought this to life.”

“We’re just really humbled by it, very proud of it,” added Lima who attended the awards night with Leigh.

“Supergirl” returns from its month-long hiatus with Season 2, episode 18 on Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m. EDT on The CW.