The cast and crew of the popular Batwoman series on The CW gave fans a few more pointers on what to expect from the upcoming season DC FanDome Panel on Saturday. (Disclosure: The CW is a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS that also publishes CNET.)
Showrunner Caroline Dries, Batwoman newcomer Javicia Leslieand returning cast Rachel Skarsten, Camrus Johnson, Meagan Tandy and Nicole Kang were on hand to talk about Batwoman and answer fan questions.
Address Kate Kane / Batwoman exit
When actor Ruby Rose suddenly decided to quit starring on The CW's Batwoman series this year, fans were concerned the show wouldn't explain their departure from history.
For more of that
Subscribe to the CNET Now newsletter to receive the most important stories of the day from our editors.
Rather than following in Rose's footsteps as Kate Kane, The CW created a new DC Comics character named Ryan Wilder to play Leslie on the show. This means that Kate Kane's sudden disappearance needs a story of its own.
On the Batwoman panel, showrunner Caroline Dries revealed that Rose's character exit would actually be tackled in the new season.
"We have two big stories when we get into season two," said Dries. "The first is 'Where's Kate?' What happened to Kate? Is she alive? Has she died? Is she missing? Is she on the run? Is she imprisoned? Is she lost? ... And then obviously we're just diving into Javicia. We have a new hero rises in Gotham. "
"Ironically, Ryan will eventually reunite the Kane family," added Dries. "There are all these connecting strands that bring them to you."
Batwoman costume changes
While Leslie said she hadn't tried on the Batwoman suit, she announced that the costume (previously worn by actor Ruby Rose on the show) will be given a makeover to match her character.
"We're talking about how important it is that we have a black Batwoman and that she has to be one s When she becomes Batwoman, "said Leslie." It's important that she feel like the silhouette of her could still look like this, with naturally textured hair and things like that. "
The suit will evolve early on as Ryan Wilder decides to clean up Gotham as the new Batwoman.
"How can we be sure Ryan isn't hiding in that suit, which makes her great?" said Dries. "So it's going to be a bit of a development. We'll see how the suit evolves at the beginning of the season. Ryan says, 'For me to feel empowered about this, it has to feel like it represents who I am fight for.'"
The new Batwoman / Ryan Wilder character has a checkered past as a former drug addict who dodged the GCPD (Gotham City Police Department) and often masked their pain with bad habits.
The new Batwoman is a highly skilled and very undisciplined fighter. She is one too from lesbians, just like Ruby Rose's character Kate Kane was on the show.
The second season of Batwoman is slated to premiere on The CW in early 2021.
