Ruby Rose is opening up for the first time with details about why she made the decision to leave “Batwoman” after one season in the lead role…
Ruby Rose sent shockwaves when she announced her decision to leave the lead role in the CW series “Batwoman” after only the first season.
Not only did she play the lead character as Kate Kane and Batwoman but the series had already been renewed for season 2 prior to her decision. At the time rumors began swirling about Rose not adapting well to the rigors of a full-time acting schedule in a lead role of an ongoing series that films more than 20 episodes per season.
Add to that, Rose had also suffered an on set injury during filming that apparently took a toll on her body, which in turn resulted in a less than hospitable relationship with producers on the show.
Now for the first time since exiting the show, the Australian actress is opening up about her decision to leave “Batwoman” and the reasons that ultimately led to her exit.
“Being the lead of a superhero show is tough. Being the lead in anything is tough,” Rose told EW. “But I think, in that particular instance, it was a lot more difficult because I was still recovering from my surgery.
“I had my surgery and then 10 days later I went to work, which maybe wasn’t the best idea. Most people take about a month or three off before they return to work, so it was definitely made more difficult by that. But as far as being a lead of a show or a film — regardless if it’s action or if it’s emotional — in whichever ways it’s taxing.”
While the injuries certainly didn’t help matters much, Rose says that wasn’t the only reason she made the decision to leave “Batwoman.”
The coronavirus pandemic, which actually forced the first season of “Batwoman” to come to an end earlier than expected, also gave Rose the necessary time she needed to reflect on the role and what exactly she wanted to do with her career moving forward.
“It wasn’t so much [the injury], especially because after we wrapped up we didn’t get to finish the real finale because of COVID,” Rose said. “You know, you have time in quarantine and sort of isolation to just think about a lot of different things and what you want to achieve in life and what you want to do.
“I think for both [me and the producers], it was a great opportunity to have a dialogue about a lot of things. I respect them so much and they’ve been so respectful to me.”
Of course, Rose also faced a ton of unnecessary criticism after she was first cast in the role before a single frame of film had been shot. Outside of a guest starring appearance on the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” this was the first major role Rose had landed on television and the scrutiny she faced was probably unlike anything she felt before.
That said, Rose is still proud of her work on the show even if her involvement with “Batwoman” came to an unexpected end.
“I think it was actually a beautiful way to do something, especially since that was the first time it’s ever been done — the first time Batwoman has ever been played in live-action and that she was LGBTQ. I’m very honored to have been able to play her,” Rose said.
After Rose exited, the CW and Warner Bros. moved forward by casting Javicia Leslie as the new lead on “Batwoman,” although she won’t be playing Kate Kane but rather a brand new character named Ryan Wilder.
According to producers, Kate Kane’s “disappearance” will play a major part in the plot for season 2. When it comes to Leslie’s future on the series, Rose didn’t have any advice to offer her other than well wishes that she enjoys her time on the show.
“I think she definitely knows what she’s doing and she seems fantastic,” Rose said. “I think that honestly, I was so proud and so happy when I was told who would be replacing me. I’m just really stoked and I’m definitely going to watch the next season as well and see how it all comes together.”
“Batwoman” is expected to get back into production later this year with a debut date still to be determined in early 2021 on The CW.
