Time for Gotham City to fire up the Bat Signal for a new Scarlet Knight.
Deadline is reporting that Batwoman star Ruby Rose is leaving the CW Arrowverse series after just one season. The series is expected to return for Season 2 after recasting a new LGBTQ actress in the lead role of DC Comics' Batwoman/Kate Kane. The series produced 20 of its planned 22 episodes, after Season 1 was cut short due to the Coronavirus crisis.
"I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season," said Rose 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."
She continued, "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."
Rose, 34, is an Australian model, DJ, recording artist, actress, television presenter, and former MTV VJ. She came out as a lesbian at age 12, and has identified herself as genderfluid. In 2015, she wrote, produced, and starred in the short film Break Free, a tribute to gender fluidity, which became a viral hit, garnering more than 25 million views on YouTube. In addition, she's appeared in the films John Wick: Chapter 2 and John Wick 3: Parabellum as the assassin Ares, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage as Adele Wolff, The Meg, Pitch Perfect 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Also, she has appeared on episodes of Orange is the New Black as Stella Carlin, Dark Matter, and Mr & Mrs Murder.
According to the article, "the two sides mutually decided to part ways after recently reflecting on the first season and its challenges", and the decision "is not related to the stunt injury she sustained during filming of Season 1, which left her facing paralysis and needing emergency surgery."
"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," said Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. TV in a joint statement. 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."
Batwoman is currently expected to return to The CW for Season 2 sometime in January 2021.