Why didn’t Batwoman go the ‘soap opera’ route when replacing their star? Read on to find out!

I can’t imagine the difficulty of being a TV writer or showrunner. They have a touch job, and often have to juggle around characters based on actors’ availabilities. We’ve seen this happen to great results and terrible results over the decades. We’ve seen shows successfully pivot when its leading star leads, and we’ve seen plenty crash and burn. And the job becomes even more difficult when the person leaving is the one bearing the name of the series. This is the case with Batwoman.

Not too long ago, it was revealed that star Ruby Rose would not be returning. She played the role of Kate Kane (aka Batwoman) in the CW series for just one season. For one reason or another, she and the network decided to part ways. From what they’re sharing, the parting seems to be amicable, but that doesn’t change the fact that the writers have a difficult job ahead. How can they possibly account for Ruby Rose’s absence?

That remains to be seen, but a recent casting call we reported shed some light on the subject. They wouldn’t be recasting Kate Kane. Instead, they’d be bringing on an all-new character to take up the Batwoman mantle. But why go this route? Wouldn’t it be easier just to recast or write in a reason for the different look? Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries 

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“To be honest with you, I did consider the ‘soap opera version’ [of recasting] for a hot minute, because selfishly we already had a couple episodes written, and transition-wise it would be seamless,” Dries said during an ATX Festival At Home Q&A. “But upon further reflection — and I think [Arrowverse EP] Greg [Berlanti] helped me make this call — he’s like, ‘I think we should just reboot Batwoman as a different character.’”

This also helps in terms of paying respect to Ruby Rose and Kate Kane as a character. It’s not trying to erase what came before, but instead will be pivoting to a new direction. 

“It also helps the audience, because we’re not asking them to address ‘the elephant in the room,’” said Dries — the elephant in the room being a new face to the same character.

In terms of the new direction, Dries confirmed the previous reports of the new character Ryan Wilder. She will be a whole new character who is inspired by Kate Kane’s Batwoman. She will be taking on the mantle of the new female Caped Crusader, but there is an added twist that Ryan isn’t really suited for the job. She’s just a scrappy twenty-something living in her van with a plant. That’ll probably add some extra conflict to a season. While it is predictable, it’s always fun to see a superhero having to grow into their role. It’s what makes them fun and relatable.

What do you think of the showrunner’s approach to changing Batwoman? Should Batwoman have gone the soap opera route? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: TVLine