As Supergirl gets ready to launch its third season, we're getting more info on some new faces who'll be occupying National City this year, the latest of which is 24 veteran Carlos Bernard as Maggie Sawyer's father.

A highlight of Supergirl's second season was the burgeoning relationship between Kara's adoptive sister Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh), and National City beat cop Maggie Sawyer (Floriana Lima). The season ended with Alex proposing to Maggie, and although we don't know how she answered, the fact that the show is bringing in members of Maggie's family is probably a pretty solid indicator.

Details on Bernard's character were revealed this week at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. Per TV Line, producer Greg Berlanti not only confirmed Bernard's involvement, but also attempted to calm fears springing from Lima's downgrade from series regular to recurring guest star, promising the show will utilize her as much as it can.

"Any character people love is not there as much as people want them there, [but] from my perspective, we will use her as much as we can. She’s wonderful on the show, and she’s got some real ardent fans, as she should. We wanted more of her, but she’s got other things in the hopper, other things she wants to consider."

Supergirl Welcome to Earth Alex Danvers Maggie Sawyer

The show previously indicated Maggie has a contentious history with her family, who did not approve of her sexuality. Bernard's Oscar Rodas will also be a cop, and it's easy to imagine he and Maggie having a rocky relationship.

A longtime TV veteran, Bernard is best known for his role as Tony Almeida on 24. The only non-Jack Bauer operative to survive to the end of the series, Bernard got to sink his teeth into a character who went from a middling CTU operative to a triple crossing terrorist, with countless iterations in between. He even managed to outlast Jack Bauer himself, as he was the only original cast member who returned for last season's short lived 24: Legacy.

Bernard's addition to the cast is just the latest nugget in a plethora of news we're getting about Supergirl's upcoming season. We also recently learned that Supergirl's mother, Alura, has been recast in the guise of Smallville's Erica Durance, and that veteran Justice League Unlimited voice actor Carl Lumbly will be portraying Martian Manhunter's father. The show may be struggling to overcome its Mon-El problem, but it's impressively beefing up its supporting cast for its third year.

Next: Supergirl Season 3 Comic-Con Trailer

Supergirl season 3 premieres Monday, Oct. 9 at 8pm on The CW.

Source: TV Line