As has become standard practice, The CW and producers Warner Bros. TV have unveiled an early look at their next superhero in costume: Ruby Rose as Batwoman.
On Tuesday, the first image (seen below) of the Orange Is the New Black alum suited up as the iconic superhero was released as star Rose reports to work in Vancouver. The costume was designed by four-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood, who was also behind the spandex creations for Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl. Out actress Rose will play the lesbian superhero, who will first appear in the Dec. 9 DC crossover event, with Arrow-verse mastermind Greg Berlanti plotting a stand-alone series revolving around the character.
Batwoman, which is in development with Caroline Dries (The Vampire Diaries) penning the script, centers on 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.
With the casting, The CW’s superhero stable now includes an out lesbian superhero played by a lesbian actress as well as a trans actress playing a trans superhero, with activist Nicole Maines joining Supergirl as a series regular this season.
Rose quit social media following backlash to her casting as Batwoman. Berlanti defended the actress in an interview with THR: “[Ruby] is terrific in the role, and we’re excited for people to see the story.”
