Since Superman & Lois is so self-contained, some have questioned if the drama is part of the Arrowverse, what Earth it takes place on, and when it falls into the overall timeline. Superman & Lois is, without doubt, on Earth-Prime. With barely any mentions or acknowledgments to the franchise, it is worth re-examining what Earth Superman & Lois is on and its ties to the Arrowverse.
The latest addition to the CW's DC TV line-up brings Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch's characters, Clark Kent and Lois Lane respectively, back permanently to the Arrowverse, leading their own series after being introduced in Supergirl. The drama focuses on the couple raising their family in Smallville and the challenges that come with parenting teenage boys (while also saving the world). So far, Superman & Lois season 1 has mainly been limited to Smallville (and in the premiere, Metropolis), which has allowed the story to stay grounded on the family dynamic.
Past Arrowverse spinoffs have been more closely connected with the other shows, leading some to question how Superman & Lois fits in; normally, crossovers and other references situate each new series relative to what's going on in the other shows on the network. However, Superman & Lois season 1 is definitely different due to the global pandemic changing things both in front and behind the camera. There was even supposed to be an Arrowverse crossover between Superman & Lois and Batwoman, but it got canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions [via TVLine].
Superman & Lois Is On Earth-Prime
Even if the main characters haven't been on the other Arrowverse shows since Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman & Lois is definitely in the same universe as them, on Earth-Prime. As far as the entire Arrowverse is concerned, Earth-Prime is the only Earth to exist Post-Crisis. The characters are unaware that there are other Earths in the new Arrowverse Multiverse, including Stargirl, which is taking place on the newly created Earth-2. So far, none of the other post-Crisis Earths feature doppelgangers, which suggests Hoechlin and Tulloch reprising their roles indicates that this is Earth-Prime (however, Stargirl season 2 featuring Jay Garrick, played by John Wesley Shipp may change this).
Superman & Lois Arrowverse Timeline Explained
Crisis on Infinite Earths changed Lois and Clark's timeline as they originally came from Earth-38, where their history was different. Before Crisis on Infinite Earths, they only had one child, but as Earth-Prime was created, their family life was altered where they now have two teenage sons, Jonathan and Jordan Kent. The events of Superman & Lois season 1 are taking place almost a year after the events of the 5-part crossover.
How Superman & Lois Connects To The Arrowverse
So far, there haven't been any major guest spots from other Arrowverse characters on Superman & Lois. However, there have been comments that could be referencing Arrowverse events. In "Holding The Wrench," Lois talks to Jonathan about the Multiverse and parallel universes, referencing the fact they used to live in a separate world before merging Earths. The episode even acknowledges a past run-in with another Superman — possibly a reference to the Elseworlds crossover.
There are two characters on Superman & Lois that do connect to the Arrowverse franchise: Sam Lane and Morgan Edge. While they were played by Glenn Morshower and Adrian Pasdar on Supergirl, they are now portrayed by Dylan Walsh and Adam Rayner, which is likely one of the many post-Crisis changes to the Arrowverse. However, Superman & Lois will soon be starting to have larger ties to the Arrowverse: Arrow's David Ramsey will be reprising the role of John Diggle later in season 1. Ramsey also directed the seventh episode, "Man of Steel," which revealed that Captain Luthor was actually, in fact, John Henry Irons, a.k.a. Steel.
Even though it makes sense why some may wonder if Superman & Lois is on the same Earth as the rest of the Arrowverse, there are some key factors to remember. Just because shows like The Flash, Black Lightning, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman aren't referenced on a regular basis, it doesn't exclude Superman & Lois from the rest of the Arrowverse. The main point of Crisis on Infinite Earths was to bring all the shows together on the same Earth by the end of the crossover. It is more likely Superman & Lois will have more connections to the other Arrowverse shows next season as the first season finishes its world-building.