After a successful season one run, queer actress Ruby Rose has left The CW drama Batwoman, but producers said the second season will push through.
The said TV show focuses on the character Kate Kane, a cousin of Bruce Wayne who is an out lesbian. Kane takes on the titular mantle to protect Gotham City.
Rose had made an announcement on social media about her departure, but later on hinted on the reason why she left the show.
Batwoman loses its main actress
Previously, the announcement of Rose’s departure was made with both the actress and the producers of the show issuing a joint statement.
In Rose’s statement, she declared: “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,” she added.
Meanwhile, The CW, Warner Bros., and Berlanti Productions thanked Rose and said the title character will be recast for the second season with “a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months.”
Rose later on hinted about her decision on Instagram with a cryptic add-on: “It wasn’t an easy decision but those who know, know…”
However, she didn’t elaborate, saying: “I have stayed silent because that’s my choice.” She also thanked the show’s fans and said: “I’m sure next season will be amazing also.”
Why did Ruby Rose leave Batwoman?
Many have surmised on the true reason for Rose’s departure. Deadline reported that Rose wasn’t happy during the filming of the first season and her behavior affected everyone on the set.
Meanwhile, Variety reported Rose’s surprise exit was due to the ill-fit between the actress and the production.
Like Deadline, Variety reported on multiple sources citing Rose’s unhappiness with the long hours required of her as series lead.
While some speculation has revolved around Rose’s previous emergency surgery for two herniated discs, a source told Variety that it “had nothing to do with her health or injury.”
TVLine quoted a source, who said: “It wasn’t 100-percent her decision. It was a breakup. She wasn’t happy working on the show, and did that make her fun to work with? No.”
“So everyone decided it would be in the best interests of the show, and for all concerned, if they parted ways. It just wasn’t a good fit,” the source added.
The first queer superhero on TV
With Batwoman, Rose broke new ground with her casting as the first queer actor to lead a queer superhero show.
However, Rose garnered a lot of criticism, whether from trolls or from some members of the LGBTQ community. The latter later on forced her to quit Twitter.
David Opie of DigitalSpy noted on how Rose not only embodied the character of Kane, the actress also empathized with Kane’s story.
Opie highlighted an interview of showrunner Caroline Dries by The Hollywood Reporter, wherein Dries worked with Rose on how queer representation should be tackled in certain episodes.
Dries said that in tweaking the script, “It was personal to both of us, so we wanted to make sure we got it right.”