The CW is looking to expand its DC Comics world.
The network is teaming with DC’s small-screen universe mastermind Greg Berlanti to develop Batwoman as a TV series. The character of Batwoman will officially be introduced in December as part of The CW’s annual DC series crossover event.
Batwoman revolves around Kate Kane, who, armed with a passion for social justice and flair for speaking her mind, soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet — in a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope.
Caroline Dries (The Vampire Diaries) is attached to pen the script and executive produce the project, which is based on DC Comics characters. Berlanti and his Warner Bros. TV-based Berlanti Productions topper Sarah Schechter and Geoff Johns will exec produce. A casting notice for the role of Kate will be going out shortly.
The DC crossover will mark the first time the character of Batwoman will appear in live-action form on any screen when she is seen fighting alongside The CW’s heroes.
Should Batwoman move to series, it would join a slate of DC shows at The CW that includes Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Black Lightning as Berlanti also builds a roster of DC fare on the comic book powerhouse’s forthcoming DC Universe subscription digital platform. Set to launch next month, that platform will feature scripted originals including Titans, Doom Patrol and more.
The script deal brings Dries back to The CW and Warner Bros. TV, for whom she served as showrunner on The Vampire Diaries. Dries exited briefly for an overall deal with Sony TV. Her credits include Melrose Place and Smallville.
Berlanti, meanwhile, is fresh off renewing his overall deal with Warner Bros. TV in a $400 million, four-year extension. The pact includes cash incentives that kick in when he hits a specific number of series. Heading into the fall, Berlanti has a record 14 scripted TV series on the air across six networks and produces two animated series airing on a seventh. They are: The CW’s All American, Arrow, Black Lightning, Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Riverdale and Supergirl; NBC’s Blindspot; CBS’ God Friended Me and The Red Line; The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina at Netflix; DC Universe’s digital service’s Doom Patrol and Titans; Lifetime’s You; and The CW Seed animated series Freedom Fighters: The Way and Constantine: City of Demons. Berlanti is repped by WME and Felker Toczek.
