Diane Lane delivers a powerful performance in ‘Y: The Last Man’

Diane Lane has enjoyed a long and successful career but many remember her best as Martha Kent in Zack Snyder’s Superman films.

Snyder’s unique vision also seen in his cult classic Watchmen may one day be fully appreciated. Yet the Anniversary actress’ connection to comic book adaptations goes beyond that.

In 2021, she starred in the television version of Brian K. Vaughan’s Y: The Last Man showed by Pia Guerra.

The story follows Yorick, the only surviving male after a mysterious event kills all beings with a Y chromosome except him and his monkey.

Lane plays his mother, Jennifer Brown, a U.S. Congresswoman who becomes President after the catastrophe.

The series dives into the government’s response and offers sharp commentary on gender politics. With most male leaders gone, women in power struggle to rebuild.

The show points out that progressive officials outweigh conservatives as Jennifer rises to leadership, while other nations collapse without female heads of state.

Sadly, the series was canceled too soon as Brian K. Vaughan’s adaptations, like Paper Girls, have faced similar fates despite their strong feminist themes.

The show also stood out for bringing trans characters forward, “Because all those with a Y chromosome were killed,” trans men were among the survivors.

The creator, Eliza Clark, introduced Sam Jordan (Elliot Fletcher) to explore this idea further.

Premiering in 2021, Y: The Last Man suffered from low viewership and poor timing during the pandemic. Still, fans hope it will someday return and find the recognition it deserves.