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When The CW’s Batwoman returns for Season 2, it won’t be just losing star Ruby Rose who played the part of Kate Kane, it’ll be introducing an entirely new character as Batwoman, Decider has learned.
The news began to trickle out thanks to a leaked casting call looking for a character named “Ryan Wilder.” Described as a “female, Mid-late 20s, any ethnicity,” the part that raised fans eyebrows was the following sentence: “Ryan Wilder is about to become Batwoman.”
The description continued that, “She’s likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She’s also nothing like Kate Kane, the woman who wore the batsuit before her.” And though casting calls are known to create fake parts for auditions, the “Ryan Wilder” character will in fact be replacing Kate Kane as Batwoman in Season 2; and Kate Kane will not be recast.
Ruby Rose, who starred as Kate in Season 1, announced she would be leaving the series on May 19. The news was confirmed by Warner Bros., the production company behind the show, which said in a statement that, “[We] 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.”
As it turns out, though they are looking for a new lead actress, it’s not to take on the role of Bruce Wayne’s cousin Kate Kane. The casting call continues that, “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.”
The call also adds that “Performers who identify as LGBTQ are encouraged to submit,” so expect a lot of focus of casting speculation on members of the LGBTQ+ community. The new cast-member, whoever they are, will join Dougray Scott, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Nicole Kang and Camrus Johnson, who will all return for Season 2 of the series. Batwoman Season 2 is currently expected to debut on The CW in January, 2021.
