Ruby Rose leaves Batwoman; CW series to replace lead for Season 2
Here’s something completely unexpected. Ruby Rose announced she was not returning for the second season of Batwoman.
“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season,” Rose said in a statement. “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. I am beyond appreciative to Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Caroline Dries for not only giving me this incredible opportunity, but for welcoming me into the DC universe they have so beautifully created. Thank you Peter Roth and Mark Pedowitz and the teams at Warner Bros. and The CW who put so much into the show and always believed in me. Thank you to everyone who made season one a success — I am truly grateful.”
This is an unprecedented blow to the series and the Arrowverse in general. The CW has heavily promoted the series and Rose as the face of the next generation of Arrowverse shows putting her front and center in promotional spots with mainstays Stephen Amell (Green Arrow), Grant Gustin (The Flash), Melissa Benoist’s (Supergirl) and Caity Lotz (Legends of Tomorrow).
Batwoman was going to be one half of the focus of the upcoming season’s crossover, a two-parter with Superman and Lois. It’s a very weird position for The CW to have a star walk away from the main role.
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In the same statement, The CW, Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions said jointly, “Warner Bros. Television, The CW and Berlanti Productions 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.”
I always thought Rose was a little stiff in the role, but I’d gotten used to her. The timing is somewhat lousy as The CW could have swapped Rose out during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover.
What do you think of this news?