(TV Guide) You may have been surprised to see Laura Vandervoort’s name omitted from the Smallville cast announcement for season 8 at the CW Upfronts. If so, you weren’t the only one.

"They announced the cast… and I’m not a part of it," Vandervoort tells me, letting out a self-effacing laugh. "We were all surprised when they chose not to bring me back as a regular, but I’m sure I’ll be back for one or two [episodes]!"

Once upon a time it was rumoured in fan circles she could be destined for her own show, but for now it looks like Kara will be pre-occupied somewhere else. As for her Earth alter ego, Laura is currently in Hawaii shooting Into The Blue 2 the follow up to the Jessica Alba, bikini-and-not-much-else flick.

Mike Ausiello reported the CW passed on Justin Hartley’s pilot The Austin Golden Hour which naturally prompted rumours the Smallville producers were eager to have Hartley return, especially since losing a lot of principal cast members. We’ll have to wait and see on that.