WARNING: This article includes MAJOR spoilers from the Superman & Lois season 2 finale.
Superman & Lois showrunner Todd Helbing explains how the series' new version of John Diggle differs from the Earth-Prime version. Since Superman & Lois premiered on The CW in 2021, its connection to the Arrowverse has been a mystery. Initially, Superman & Lois was conceived as a traditional Arrowverse spinoff, with Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch reprising their roles from Supergirl. The Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover even set up the major premise of the show by having their family history retooled. Instead of just having baby Jonathan, the five-part crossover changed things so that Lois and Clark instead had two sons, Jordan and Jonathan, who were born earlier in the Earth-Prime timeline.
Despite all of that, Superman & Lois have been limited in references to the other Arrowverse shows. The biggest tie-ins have been the return of Jenna Dewan's Lucy Lane from Supergirl, with an altered history, and David Ramsey's John Diggle. However, appearances or references to characters like Supergirl, Clark's cousin, or the Justice League heroes, have not been on the table. After Superman & Lois' lack of Arrowverse connections across season 1 and 2, Helbing assured fans that they would learn at the end of season 2 where the show fits into the wider franchise.
Following these last two years, the Superman & Lois season 2 finale confirmed once and for all that the show does not take place on Earth-Prime after all. While revealing its place in the franchise, Ramsey's Diggle appeared in the Superman & Lois season 2 finale. Despite having thought it was the same character Ramsey has played on Arrow, The Flash, and the other shows, this version is also a doppelgänger. In a new interview with TVLine, Helbing opens up more about Ramsey's latest return and this new Diggle's status in Superman & Lois.
“This is also a new Diggle. David Ramsey had grown a beard and grew his hair out. He called me and said, ‘I’ve been growing my hair, I look different. Do you want me to shave and get a haircut?’ So not to add more confusion to it, but he’s a different Diggle.”
The long-running theory that Superman & Lois was not in the main Arrowverse world was supported by the fact that Ramsey was just on The Flash season 8. In his latest Flash appearance, Diggle had gone to Eobard Thawne for help about the mysterious alien box he received in the Arrow series finale. The storyline, which was set up all the way back in 2020, came to an abrupt end as Diggle decided once and for all to not accept its invitation to go on a new adventure. Given how he appeared on The Flash season 8 when images for the Superman & Lois season 2 finale were released, it was widely assumed that these appearances would somehow connect with each other.
The reveal that this is a new Diggle does open up a lot of doors for Superman & Lois season 3. Given his role in the Superman & Lois season 2 finale, it is fair to assume Ramsey will be back in season 3 in some capacity. It wouldn't be shocking if Diggle will be working with John Henry Irons, as he told Steel that he found the man who killed this Earth's version of John: Bruno Mannheim. While unclear if they will be the next chapter's Big Bads, Bruno and Intergang will appear in Superman & Lois season 3. However, it will be quite some time until Diggle's role in Superman & Lois season 3 is confirmed, as the show won't be back until 2023.
Source: TVLine