Supergirl: Chyler Leigh and Azie Tesfai preview Alex and Kelly’s relationship in season 5

As we gear up for the return of Supergirl, stars Chyler Leigh and Azie Tesfai let us in on what to expect for Alex and Kelly’s relationship in season 5.

A lot of things happened in Supergirl season 4, but one of the most surprising was perhaps the sweet, realistic development of a romantic relationship between Alex Danvers and Jimmy Olsen’s sister, Kelly.

Culturess got the chance to catch up with series stars Chyler Leigh and Azie Tesfai, who play Alex and Kelly, during a press roundtable interview at San Diego Comic-Con. The pair discussed their characters with deep affection and seem well aware

Given the heartbreaking fashion in which Alex’s previous relationship with Maggie ended, it’s understandable that the DEO leader might want to take things slow with Kelly. And, according to the actors, this methodical approach to love will continue to be a big part of their relationship in season 5. (And that’s a good thing, by the way.)

“This is all about taking things one step at a time,” Leigh said. “And not trying to just dive face first into something that’s crisis or emotionally driven.”

“Last season, there was so much going on towards the end, and Kelly got thrown into the mix really fast and really heavy,” she continued. “If [that story] wasn’t handled as well is it was, it could have become something that seems very forced. Instead, we really wanted to find the dynamic and baseline of a great friendship.”

Everything about Alex and Kelly’s relationship is – and will continue to be – based on that initial, real friendship. But now it’s moving forward into a new stage.

“Once that kiss happened,” Leigh said, “it was Alex making that move, because she’s looking forward to moving forward. And wanting to do it in a way that – since this is only her second time having a relationship – that, you know, she’s not walking in and just wearing her heart on her sleeve just to be torn apart.”

“Thankfully, she found somebody that is so thoughtful and kind and caring, that it really was something that was based on support. So this season is kind of like, between the two of them, really figuring out how to make the dynamic work in a very chaotic situation. It’s about finding the balance of how to stay connected.”

Alex’s relationship with Maggie ended in large part because she realized that she wanted to have children someday. Afterward, Alex began investigating adoption on her own, both gaining and losing a potential child last season.

According to Leigh, Alex’s desire to adopt will also continue to play out this season, though perhaps not as quickly as some viewers might like. But, any delay sounds as though it will spring from everyone involved’s desire to get this story exactly right.

“That is something we’re trying to do very delicately and very respectfully,” Leigh explained. “It’s still something that is very much on Alex’s mind…and then the adoption happened and kind of fell through within almost the same day.”

“That’s very realistic. That happens all the time. And so that is something that’s very definitely still on her radar, but she’s definitely not trying to force anything. But the cool thing [about Alex and Kelly’s relationship] is that we’re coming to find out these two are very like minded. It’s not like, you know, if it’s ever going to happen. It’s just how and when and what that’s going to look like [when it does].”

“Everything’s a slow burn,” Asfai chimed in.

As for Kelly herself, we’ll also find out a bit more about her in season 5.

“We will!” Asfai enthused. “She has a new job this year. It’s awesome. It’s at Obsidian Tech, which is like this very cool, sci-fi, very advanced [technology] world. The new character, Andrea Rojas, that’s coming in, she’ll be working with her and this dynamic and this company is going to put Kelly in some serious danger.”

Asfai, attending her first San Diego Comic-Con seemed visibly nervous about giving away too many season 5 secrets, but was nevertheless extremely excited about what’s in store for Kelly.

“Kelly’s so sweet and pure and thinks she’s doing a good thing, but she [ends up] in a complicated situation,” she explained. “The whole story line is so cool. Very Black Mirror.”

Supergirl returns to The CW for its season 5 premiere on October 6.