The CW Orders ‘Batwoman’ Pilot Starring Ruby Rose
It was rumoured this might be the plan when Ruby Rose was first cast as ‘Batwoman’ in this years Arrowverse crossover. Now the possibility of a full tv show inches closer, as The CW orders a full standalone pilot.
Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate Kane (Rose) 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 saviour, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope.
It looks like Kate will be joined by her father, as reports say additional casting include “Joseph”, an ex-army Colonel who now runs a private security and logistics firm in Gotham called “The Crows”. It’s hard to say for sure, as they are using codenames in the casting call, but this does sound closest to the role played by dear old dad in the comics.
Another interesting casting call has gone out for “Alexa”, who is described as a charming lunatic who dresses in Victorian attire. Somewhat like the tv show’s version of a female Joker, it sounds rather like it might be Kate’s twin sister Elizabeth from the comics. She was originally thought dead after a terrorist kidnapping in her youth. It turns out she physically survived but was mentally broken by the experience, leading her towards a life of crime.
We also have “Sloane” who is a Latina character in her late 20s/early 30s. She is a member of “The Crows” and one of their best agents but also has a secret – although she is now married to a guy, she was once in love with Kate. This doesn’t entirely track, it is possible this could be Renee Montoya, the badass Gotham PD detective who is an ex of Kates in the comic books. She also goes on to become superhero The Question during the brilliant “52” story arc.
Next, there is “Landon”, an African-American guy in his early 20s, who is a massive Batman fan, who comes from an “imperative legacy” that provided Bats with some of his gadgets. It’s extremely likely this is actually Luke Fox, son of Lucius Fox, who also goes by the hero name Batwing, one of the Bat-family in the comics.
The last two are “Meredith” and “Charlotte”. For “Meredith” they are looking for an Asian or Latin actress in their early 20s. The character is described as intelligent and deeply compassionate, but comes across as a bit of an airhead, due to her tendency to be somewhat talkative. She also has a secret life in Gotham City. It’s possible this is Kate’s cousin, Bette Kane, also known as the hero Flamebird. “Charlotte” is mother to “Meredith”, so if “Meredith” is Bette, that makes “Charlotte” Kate’s aunt. That would be a new character who hasn’t been mentioned in the comic books in any meaningful way.
The pilot will come from writer/producer Caroline Dries, who wrote the crossover episode this year which featured the character. Her previous work includes The Vampire Diaries’, ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Smallville’. The CW has also tapped David Nutter to direct, who is the man that previously launched ‘Arrow’, ‘The Flash’ and is responsible for some very memorable episodes of a little show called ‘Game of Thrones’.
Dries & Nutter serve as exec producers along with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter from Berlanti Productions and ex-DC Entertainment boss Geoff Johns via his new production company Mad Ghost Productions. As with all the Arrowverse shows, Berlanti Productions will produce alongside WBTV.
No news yet on exactly how ‘Batwoman’ will fit into the Arrowverse lineup, although it is said to be slated to join the other DC/CW shows in Autumn 2019 if it gets picked up. We’ll let you know when we hear more.
