The CW has released the first official photo of Ruby Rose as Batwoman.
The character will make her debut later this year in the annual ‘Arrow-verse’ crossover between Arrow, Supergirl, and The Flash. It was announced that Rose would play the character in August. This version of Batwoman is Kate Kane, an out-lesbian who becomes fed up with the failings of the justice system and takes matters into her own hands.
A Batwoman series is in development at The CW and would follow Kane as she fights a new wave of crime on the streets of Gotham. It’s unlikely that Batman will play a role in this series. Should the series get picked up it would likely air sometime during next Fall.
There was a wave of controversy surrounding the casting that forced Rose to quit Twitter and deactivate comments on her Instagram. Rose reacted to the controversy and posted a message to the people who were questioning her. “Where on Earth did ‘Ruby is not a lesbian, therefore, she can’t be Batwoman’ come from. It has to be the funniest most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read. I came out at 12? And have for the past 5 years had to deal with ‘she’s too gay.’ How do y’all flip it like that? I didn’t change. I wish we would all support each other and our journeys.”
The backlash seems to have quieted down since as more fans have warmed up to the actress playing Batwoman.