“Batwoman” Will Replace Ruby Rose’s Character With A Whole New One

Ruby Rose announced last month that she will not be returning to The CW’s Batwoman after just one season. She claimed the decision was a “difficult” one, and we later learned it wasn’t really her decision, but a mutual agreement by Ruby and Batwoman higher-ups that it was time for her to make like a set of Batsuit nipples and never be seen again on set. Little did we know that it wasn’t just Ruby who was done with Batwoman, but her character, Kate Kane, as well.

After Ruby announced she was done with Batwoman, Berlanti Productions released a statement, saying that everyone was committed to a second season and that the second season will be going in a new direction and a new LGBTQ lead will be cast. Entertainment Weekly has a casting update and there will be no Bewitched Darrin-switcheroo here.

EW has learned that Batwoman isn’t simply going to recast Kate Kane, the role Ruby Rose left at the end of season 1. Instead, the CW drama is introducing a new character named Ryan Wilder to take up Batwoman’s mantle.

EW says that the news about the new lead came from a casting notice that was leaked onto the internet. A sub-Reddit dedicated to The CW’s Batwoman reposted the casting notice, which was quickly removed. EW adds that Batwoman is looking for actresses, with an emphasis on LGBTQ actresses, to audition for the role of a character named Ryan Wilder. No relation to Gene or Van, I’m guessing. Ruby’s character was a lesbian.

It also sounds like producers don’t want there to be any confusion between Kate Kane and Ryan Wilder.

Ryan Wilder is a female in her mid-late 20s and the complete opposite of Kate Kane. “She’s likable, messy, a little goofy, and untamed,” reads the document. “With no one in her life to keep her on track, Ryan spent years as a drug-runner, dodging the GCPD and masking her pain with bad habits. Today, reformed and sober, Ryan lives in van with her plant. A girl who would steal milk from an alley cat and could also kill you with her bare hands, Ryan is the most dangerous type of fighter: highly skilled and wildly disciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.”

EW points out that DC Comics, which is where Batwoman was created, has a long legacy of switching out characters every once in a while to keep the story fresh. But there is one issue. Ruby’s character had an evil twin sister, Beth Kane, who went by the name Alice, played by Rachel Skarsten. Whoever is cast as Ryan Wilder should probably practice how to act without looking confused. Because I definitely see Rachel delivering a confusing monologue that will kick off Season 2.

“Well well well, hello there Batwoman. Or, should I say, new Batwoman. Other Batwoman? Bat…women? Whatever. Now that my sister, Batwoman, is out of the picture…wait, no. Let me start over.”

Pic: Wenn.com/FayesVision