Ruby Rose announced her departure from CW's Batwoman earlier this week. Instead of recasting her character, the show will award Gotham with an entirely new superhero to take her place.
Rose posted this video compilation of her character Kate Kane a week ago and addressed her abrupt departure. She does not directly address her reason for leaving, but instead thanks the cast and crew of the show and wishing everyone nothing but the best.
Rose's character Kate Kane was an openly gay cousin of Bruce Wayne, making Batwoman the first superhero series with a leading LGBTQ+ hero. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rose speaks about the character's impact:
"The fact that she is an outwardly gay superhero, which is something growing up I would've loved to have seen on my TV, was a big deciding factor as to why I was so passionate about the role."
Many fans speculate that Rose left because of the physical demands that the role required. In an Instagram post from September, Rose detailed how she had to undergo emergency surgery following a stunt to avoid paralysis.
News about the new character comes mainly from a now removed Reddit casting call reported first by Decider for a character named "Ryan Wilder." The description includes, "She's likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She's also nothing like Kate Kane, the woman who wore the batsuit before her."
In a joint statement, Warner Bros. confirmed the character's continued dedication to the LGBTQ+ community by saying:
"[We] thank Ruby for her contributions to the success of our first season and wish her all the best. The studio and network are firmly committed to Batwoman's second season and long-term future, and we — along with the show's talented creative team — look forward to sharing its new direction, including the casting of a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months."
Season two of Batwoman is set to premiere in 2021, but who will be behind the mask remains a mystery.
