ABOVE: The CW plans to replace the main character of the series, Kate Kane, with a brand new character, following Ruby Rose’s departure from the series earlier this year. (Photo from The CW)
The CW series “Batwoman” is set to replace the protagonist of the show with an entirely new character, according to a recent report from Decider.
The news began to circulate, in part, when a casting call was leaked online June 2. Per the casting call, this new character’s name will be Ryan Wilder and is described as “[a]thletic[,] [r]aw[,] [p]assionate[,] [f]allible [a]nd very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.” The casting call also makes clear that Wilder is “about to become Batwoman.”
However, this recent development was not the only thing that signaled to viewers that change was coming to Gotham City. In May, actress-model Ruby Rose, who portrayed Batwoman, announced that she was leaving the show.
“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to ‘Batwoman’ next season,” Rose said at the time. “This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles.”
The CW is committed to maintaining the LGBTQ+ inclusivity of the series. The character of Kate Kane, a.k.a. Batwoman, is a lesbian and made history by being the first “LGBTQ superhero with an LGBTQ star in the lead.” The network intends to make Ryan Wilder “[a]n out lesbian”, as well. This commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility is also reflected in the casting approach for the show.
“Performers who identify as LGBTQ are encouraged to submit,” the casting call states.
Fans on Twitter are having varying reactions to the news of Kane’s replacement. Exitoverhere said that the decision to replace Kane with a new character could be detrimental to the series, while MillmaVerse offered their own suggestion as to how the show could ease into this transition.
Wait……are they seriously going to just create an entirely new, original character and make her Batwoman, and just completely move away from Kate Kane???
Wow, this might destroy the show……. pic.twitter.com/TBN1ItVFd2
— Arrow Is Over 🏹🎯 (@Exitoverhere) June 2, 2020
Instead of making a new charatcer to take the role of #Batwoman why don’t @CWBatwoman make Julia, Batwoman. Julia can take the cape to avenge Kate or something, she has connections to the Kanes, Crows, and Bruce. Would be an easier transition for the plot lines. Plus she’s gay.
— Fanfiction Millma Verse Page (@MillmaVerse) June 4, 2020
Cast members Dougray Scott, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Nicole Kang and Camrus Johnson will all return to reprise their roles in the upcoming season. Season 2 of “Batwoman” is expected to air on the CW in January 2021.
