When the next big CW DC series Batwoman finally hits TV screens this fall, we’ll get to see Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane wear the cape as well as have her own lesbian love interest. Ruby Rose recently talked a little bit about the upcoming superhero drama striving to be inclusive and feature a strong lesbian lead, noting that she hopes adding the lead character to the network will “change lives" once it hits the airwaves.
Speaking at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour, Ruby Rose talked about growing up and identifying as LGBTQ but not seeing representation of herself on the small screen. That's changing a bit more now, and when Batwoman over at the CW came her way, the actress was able to see the passion her character Kate exudes for her flame Sophie and how it spoke to her on a personal level as she was in the process of deciding whether or not to take the CW role. She talked more about this, saying,
When we talked about it and [I saw] how passionate they were, and they were yelling over the top of each other and finishing each other's sentences...I was watching this ping-pong match thinking if they're that invested in this and it makes them so happy and it's telling the story that I wish was on television when I was a kid and Caroline [Dries] wishes and Sarah [Schechter], I believe there are going to be people that this changes their life. I believe there's some people that won't find themselves.
Speaking to reporters after a CW presentation at TCA's summer press tour, Batwoman leadRuby Rose spoke out about how it was her vision (as well as the two producers on Batwoman, Caroline Dries and Sarah Schechter) to bring the masses a story that she wishes had been on television when she was growing up.
Ruby Rose went on to tell reporters (via THR) the series should have something for everyone, despite giving representation to the LGBTQ community. Alternatively, if it's not your cup of tea, she also mentions she feels there are probably plenty of other TV programs out there that are.
I mean, I think there's definitely someone for everyone in the show, but if you don't find yourself in the show, that's probably because there's plenty of shows you already have out there.
Having screened Batwoman at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, I already know Kate Kane and Sophie’s previous relationship is at the forefront of the pilot at least. In fact, Sophie is the reason that Kate Kane returns to a Batman-less Gotham, after a series of events draws her home and into the crimefighting fold. The character will look a little different than what we saw with her arrow-verse introduction, as well. So, if you weren't as keen on that, I'd still give this one a shot.
Without spoiling too much, Kate Kane’s romance is at the forefront of the episode due to the nature of the plot; however, it’s not really a key focal point or made to be a big deal in the same way people outside of the series have been talking about her identity for months and months.
Related: Will Batman Ever Show Up On Batwoman? The Producers Talk Caped Crusader
We’ve seen a little bit of this in the first trailer for the upcoming series, which looks a bit at Kate's return home and the events that lead to her heading into Bruce Wayne's home and finding out about the Batcave. If you haven't seen it yet, take a look.
In fact, Ruby Rose’s upcoming character will be the first lesbian superhero to headline a TV series, although it should be noted the CW has made inclusion a priority with many of its other arrow-verse shows over the past several years, including bisexual character Sara Lance, who was in both Arrow and its spinoff Legends of Tomorrow. Still, despite this being notable news, Ruby Rose seems to want to make it clear that Kate Kane's story is not her story and is not her point of view. She also noted that Kate Kane is going through a lot of what she went through at a more tender age, revealing,
I feel like I was more like her when I was younger — the hesitation of trusting people, letting people in, feeling like I could do everything on my own. Not having a big family. Being gay, obviously, but that's not the biggest part of the show. But there's a lot that I definitely experienced throughout [my] earlier teens, maybe even early 20s, but that now I don't share with her but I can see why she feels the way she does. I also don't live in Gotham. It's different when you live in Gotham and the world is like that. Not that we're far from it, but it's a heavier situation, whereas I feel like my life is pretty well put-together.
Typically, CW shows in general skew younger, so perhaps this was by design. Or perhaps Rose is right that the fictional Gotham is simply a different beast with a different set of problems than the world she grew up in. Either way, as noted prior, Ruby Rose really does feel as if there is something in Batwoman for everyone.
All in all, with Arrow ending after this season, we’ll have to wait and see if Batwoman finds its way into the hearts of arrow-verse fans and acts as an adequate replacement. We’ll know how the ratings fare soon enough. Batwoman will hit the TV schedule on October 6, 2019, around the same time the rest of the shows in DC's CW superhero universe make big and splashy returns. Fans will also have the major crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" to look forward to, which will finally bring the Black Lightning family into the fold. To see what else is heading to TV this fall, take a look at CinemaBlend's full schedule.
