Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries has explained why the show is replacing Kate Kane as Batwoman - and revealed the new Batwoman would be an entirely original character. The Arrowverse is currently in something of a state of flux after Ruby Rose announced she was leaving Batwoman after just one season. The reason for Rose's departure has yet to be disclosed, although reports suggest it was a mutual agreement between Rose and the DCTV team.
A leaked casting call revealed The CW did not intend to recast Kate Kane, but rather to replace her. The casting notice identified the new Batwoman as "Ryan Wilder," which was assumed to be a placeholder name to conceal an identity from the comics. The description of Wilder, however, left comic book readers struggling to figure out just who she could be. She was described as a former drug-runner who would steal milk for an alley cat, but could also kill you with her bare hands. She's apparently an out lesbian, an atypical American hero, and nothing like Kate Kane. No comic book characters correspond to this decision, so most viewers assumed someone was heavily modified.
Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries has finally spoken out about the controversial decisions she is making. Speaking at the virtual ATX Television Festival (via Give My Remote), she ignored Rose's departure and instead focused entirely on the new Batwoman. "I'm inventing a whole new character," Dries confirmed. "In her past, she was inspired by Batwoman. She is going to take on the mantle and is completely maybe not the right person at the time to be doing it. That's what makes it fun."
Dries admitted she did consider just recasting the role, and carrying straight on as though the actor hadn't changed at all. The writing team had already started putting together season 2, and the first episodes had been written, meaning the transition would have been seamless. "But upon further reflection," she noted, "and [executive producer] Greg Berlanti helped me make this call - and he's way smarter than me about this sort of stuff - he's like, 'You know, I think we should just reboot the character in terms of reboot Batwoman as a different character.'" They felt this was the best way to honor everything Ruby Rose has accomplished in defining the role of Kate Kane in the Arrowverse.
Although DC's comics loosely inspires the Arrowverse, Berlanti has never minded deviating from comic book lore when he feels it is necessary. This, however, is the most dramatic departure to date. Batwoman has never been a legacy character in the comics, and her mantle has never been passed on. Most fans had assumed someone was being adapted into the new Batwoman - perhaps Harper Rowe or Holly Robinson, aka Bluebird and the second Catwoman. Instead, Dries is creating a brand new character. This is an extraordinary gamble because, unlike most superhero TV shows, there will be no natural fanbase for Batwoman 2.0. When the comics introduce a so-called 'legacy hero,' such as Sam Wilson's Falcon becoming Captain America or Jane Foster wielding the hammer of Thor, there is usually a changeover or transition. But Ruby Rose has left Batwoman, meaning her successor will need to hit the ground running.
Source: Give My Remote