Before Jason Momoa takes on the role of intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl project, the character already made his live-action debut on television. Emmett J. Scanlan, known for his role in Peaky Blinders, portrayed Lobo in a 2019 episode of the SyFy series Krypton. This marks the character's first appearance in live action, predating Momoa's involvement.
The DC Comics character Lobo, who first appeared in 1983, has long been a fan favorite for his regenerative abilities and chaotic personality. While Jason Momoa, celebrated for his roles in Game of Thrones and Aquaman, is set to bring Lobo to life in a major live-action capacity in 2026's Supergirl, he is not the first actor to do so.
Lobo's initial live-action outing occurred in 2019 on the SyFy series Krypton, which explores the history of Superman's family through the story of Kal-El's grandfather, Seg-El, played by Cameron Cuffe. In the episode, Seg-El teams up with Adam Strange, portrayed by Shaun Sipos, to confront Lobo. The duo inflicts severe damage on the Czarnian anti-hero multiple times, only for Lobo to regenerate and return for more destruction.
Emmett J. Scanlan, an accomplished television actor, took on the role of Lobo in Krypton. Scanlan is recognized for his five-episode appearance as Billy Grade, a shady bookmaker, in the BBC historical crime drama Peaky Blinders. He also stars in AMC+'s Kin.
Although Lobo's live-action appearances have been sparse, the character has enjoyed greater visibility in animation. He was introduced to many audiences in 1996's Superman: The Animated Series during the two-part Season 1 episode "The Main Man." Subsequent animated projects featuring Lobo include Justice League, Young Justice, and the 2020 film Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
This earlier portrayal highlights Lobo's enduring appeal across DC's multimedia landscape, bridging comics, television, and now cinema.
