‘Batwoman’ Show Boss Touts ‘Awesome Characters’ Ahead of Season 2
Fans of The CW freshman series, Batwoman, have been on an unpredictable ride since the season 1 finale. Ruby Rose exited as the title character, and now Javicia Leslie will put on the mask and cape as the new Batwoman. Amid the shakeup, the showrunner, Caroline Dries, recently expressed excitement about the remaining characters and the opportunities ahead.
‘Batwoman’ Season 1 is over, and the showrunner is relieved
In a special video aptly called “Bat Chat,” Dries opened up to Batwoman stars, Nicole Kang and Camrus Johnson, about the show. Regarding the fan reaction to season 1, Dries confessed, “I’m relieved because it’s such a feat to do — as you know — 20 episodes in nine months’ time. It’s really, really intense, and our crew kicked so much butt over the course of the season.”
‘Batwoman’ will explore the characters — minus Kate — with more depth in season 2
Although season 1 was a hit, Batwoman will have to continue without the actor who originated the Batwoman role on The CW. The announcement that Rose would depart the Arrowverse came shortly after the finale. But in the “Bat Chat” segment, Dries noted the benefit of having such a robust cast of characters to continue the story.
“One of the best parts of the show is — yes, it’s about Batwoman, but what we did successfully is enrich her world with so many awesome characters,” Dries said. “Every time we saw a new layer of Mary, every time we saw Luke get a little more complicated, it was so rewarding. Now we get to explore these characters with even more depth, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Who is the new hero behind the mask?
After the news broke that Rose would not return to Batwoman during season 2, Dries spoke with Deadline about the future of the show. The show creator declared that she would not participate in the “Bury Your Gays” Hollywood trope.
So, rather than killing Kate, the character will mysteriously vanish, setting up a compelling narrative for season 2. Furthermore, Dries dished about creating a fresh persona to carry on the Batwoman legacy.
“I’m inventing a whole new character who in her past was inspired by Batwoman,” Dries revealed to Deadline, “so she will take on the mantle and is completely maybe not the right person at the time to be doing it, so that’s what makes it fun.”
The new woman behind the Bat has been dubbed Ryan Wilder and will be played by Javicia Leslie. God Friended Me fans will remember the star’s portrayal of Ali Finer on the CBS feel-good drama. Leslie was popular with fans who appreciated her dramatic range and likeability.
While most Batwoman fans respect Leslie’s abilities as an actor, many are peeved that an unknown character has replaced Kate Kane. “I love the casting choice, tweeted one fan, but just make her Kate. Only off-handedly make a comment about a different look and just carrying on like a new Bruce Wayne.”
That seems to be a prevalent opinion in the Twitterverse, but time will tell if the audience will accept Gotham’s new vigilante in season 2. With Dries, Leslie, and the rest of the Bat crew at The CW on board, they have a decent shot.
