Breaking News: Ruby Rose to Leave Batwoman, but the Show Will Go On

Ruby Rose, who stars in the lead role of Batwoman on The CW, will be hanging up her cowl after one season and departing from the series. She issued the following statement about her decision:

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.

Word is that Rose was unhappy in the role which led to her decision to leave the series. Warner Bros. and The CW issued a joint statement indicating that the show would go on and that they would recast the lead:

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. 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 may not have been the breakout hit to re-vitalize the Arrow-verse that network execs might have hoped for, but it was the fourth highest-rated CW series in its first season based on same-day viewing. Its number did trail off during the second half of the season, but that was true of all the network’s shows.

Even though WB and The CW have indicated that the show will carry on with a new lead, I would say that it is still possible that they will reconsider and decide not to proceed with a second season. It will be a month or two at the earliest before production starts to ramp up, and that gives the studio and network time to reconsider the future of the Arrow-verse. The schedule is already overflowing next season, and the Arrow spin-off is one of the shows they have not made a decision on yet. Could they perhaps decide to slot that into the lineup instead of a second year of Batwoman?

Probably not as The CW is notorious for not cancelling shows, and Batwoman was well-received in its first year. Plus, the next Arrow-verse crossover has been planned and will feature Batwoman alongside Superman.  Consider it a good bet to return with a new lead, though don’t be completely surprised if they decide to shelve the series and go with another option instead.  Especially if they have a hard time finding an actress they are comfortable with stepping into the role definite by Ruby Rose.

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