Batwoman showrunner explains why they won’t be recasting Kate Kane

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

It was revealed last month that Ruby Rose would be stepping down as the star of The CW's Batwoman. In a statement, Ruby Rose said, "I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season. 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." At the time, it was assumed that a new actress would take on the role of Kate Kane, but word later emerged that the studio would actually be creating a new character to take over the mantle of Batwoman.

While speaking during the virtual ATX Television Festival (via Give Me My Remote; h/t Collider), Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries explained why they elected to create a new character rather than recast the role. "So, to be honest with you, I did consider the soap opera version for a hot minute, selfishly, because we had a couple episodes already written, and transition-wise, it would be seamless [since] we already started breaking season 2," Dries explained. "But upon further reflection, and [executive producer] Greg [Berlanti] helped me make this call—and he’s way smarter than me about this sort of stuff—he’s like, ‘You know, I think we should just reboot the character in terms of reboot Batwoman as a different character.’ Just to also respect everything that Ruby [Rose] put into the Kate Kane character." Dries added that a new character will hopefully help audiences adjust to a new face.

I just think it helps the audience a little bit, too, that we’re not asking them to not address the elephant in the room. I’m inventing a whole new character. In her past, she was inspired by Batwoman. She is going to take on the mantle and is completely maybe not be the right person at the time to be doing it. That’s what makes it fun.

While nothing has been made official just yet, previous reports have stated that the new character reportedly goes by the name of Ryan Wilder, who was described in a since-deleted casting notice on Reddit as a woman in her mid-20s who is "about to become Batwoman." The casting noticed described Wilder as, "likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She’s also nothing like Kate Kane, the woman who wore the batsuit before her. 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. A girl who would steal milk for an alley cat could also kill you with her bare hands, Ryan is the most dangerous type of fighter: highly skilled and wildly undisciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical All-American hero." It's hard to say when production on Batwoman will get underway, but as restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 shut-down are looking to be lifted somewhat over the next few months, it's likely the team would like to get started as soon as they can.