‘Batwoman’ Star Ruby Rose Exits Series Ahead of Season 2

By Elaine Low

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – In surprise move, Ruby Rose, the star of the CW’s “Batwoman,” has decided to leave the television series ahead of its already announced second season.

The exact reason she is leaving remains unclear. But the show will go on: Warner Bros., the studio behind “Batwoman,” and the CW have both committed to creating a second season with a new series lead.

“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season,” said Rose in a statement. “This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles. I am beyond appreciative to Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Caroline Dries for not only giving me this incredible opportunity, but for welcoming me into the DC universe they have so beautifully created. Thank you Peter Roth and Mark Pedowitz and the teams at Warner Bros. and The CW who put so much into the show and always believed in me. Thank you to everyone who made season one a success – I am truly grateful.”

The CW had in January renewed “Batwoman” and a dozen other series for the 2020-2021 season.

After Rose revealed last September that she had undergone emergency surgery for two herniated discs , questions arose as to which project had contributed to the injuries she sustained.

But a source familiar with the situation tells Variety that Rose’s decision “had nothing to do with her health or injury.”

“Batwoman” season 1 averaged a 0.5 rating among adults 18-49 after seven days of delayed viewing, putting it in a tie for third behind “The Flash” and the final season of “Arrow” in the CW rankings. Total viewership-wise, the show’s freshman season averaged 1.7 million viewers in Live+7, which again places it as the network’s third most-watched show.

“Warner Bros. Television, The CW and Berlanti Productions thank Ruby for her contributions to the success of our first season and wish her all the best,” said Warner Bros. TV, the CW and Berlanti Productions in a joint statement. “The studio and network are firmly committed to Batwoman’s second season and long-term future, and we — along with the show’s talented creative team — look forward to sharing its new direction, including the casting of a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months.”

Will Thorne contributed to this report.