For fans of on-screen DC entertainment, the future is in question. Not only did Warner Bros. and Discovery recently merge, but The CW was put up for sale by WarnerMedia and Paramount, leading to canceled projects and intentions of new directions. The one thing that is certain, however, is studio confidence in Batman. In addition to Matt Reeves' The Batman and its subsequent spin-offs, fans can also expect Gotham Knights, a new teen television series, in 2023.
Despite the network's current state of uncertainty, Gotham Knights is set to release on The CW, which actually picked up this new show for a full series order. And, despite belonging to the longtime home for DC television, the new series is a stand-alone project and not connected to the Arrowverse, Reeves' The Batman, or the video game of the same name.
While fans have yet to receive a release date or an episode count for Gotham Knights, The CW has just revealed a first look at the series and its young cast.
The CW's Gotham Knights First Poster & Synopsis Revealed
DiscussingFilm has shared a first look at The CW's upcoming DC TV series for 2023, Gotham Knights, featuring the show's cast and Bruce Wayne's adopted son, Turner Hayes, played by Oscar Morgan.
The full poster can be seen below:
The synopsis, which was shared by ScreenRant, details what audiences can expect and reads as follows:
“Batman is dead, and a powder keg has ignited Gotham City without the Dark Knight to protect it. In the wake of Bruce Wayne’s murder, his adopted son Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan, “De Son Vivant”) is framed for killing the Caped Crusader, along with the children of some of Batman’s enemies: Duela (Olivia Rose Keegan, “Days of Our Lives”), an unpredictable fighter and skilled thief who was born in Arkham Asylum and abandoned by her father, Harper Row (Fallon Smythe, “grown-ish”), a streetwise and acerbic engineer who can fix anything, and her brother Cullen Row (Tyler DiChiara, “The Virgin of Highland Park”), a clever transgender teen who is tired of being polite and agreeable. With the charismatic and hard-charging District Attorney Harvey Dent (Misha Collins, “Supernatural”) and the GCPD hot on their trail, Turner will rely on allies including his best friend and formidable coder Stephanie Brown (Anna Lore, “All American”), and unlikely Batman sidekick Carrie Kelley (Navia Robinson, “Raven’s Home”). But our Knights will soon learn there is a larger, more nefarious force at work within Gotham City. This team of mismatched fugitives must band together to become its next generation of saviors known as the GOTHAM KNIGHTS. From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, GOTHAM KNIGHTS is written by Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams. Fiveash and Stoteraux will serve as showrunners and executive produce the series alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. Abrams also serves as co-executive producer. Danny Cannon directed and served as an executive producer on the pilot, along with David Madden. GOTHAM KNIGHTS is based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.”
Can This Fresh Take on Gotham City Survive?
While this poster is one of the first official looks at Gotham Knights, fans have seen photos from the set, including glimpses of the Gotham City Police Department and a spoilery on-set video revealing a certain character.
The real question surrounding Gotham Knights isn't necessarily its execution or viewership, but its future. Even if the show is a hit, it's difficult to know if it can weather the current studio and network transitions.
However, the fact that it's a standalone story is likely to help with its survival. Not only does it allow Gotham Knights' creatives to tell a fresh and unique story without limitations or obligations, but its lack of connections to the Arrowverse or any cinematic Batmen may be indicative of the network's new strategy.
Still, given the popularity of the Gotham Knights video game, it will be interesting to see if any of its story beats find their way into the show in one way or another.
Regardless, there's still plenty to look forward to in terms of this show as Batman fans can count on at least one season of Gotham Knights, as well as a whole new story, driven by a new generation of heroes, set within the Caped Crusader's world of Gotham City.
Gotham Knights is set to release on The CW in 2023.
