In a true season finale twist, it was recently revealed that the 20th episode of the CW's Batwoman would be Kate Kane's last. Lead actress Ruby Rose announced she would not be returning to the show in the second season and that there would be a new actor cast in the role. A recent casting leak revealed that the producers planned to replace the character of Kate Kane with an entirely new character going by the name Ryan Wilder.
The character is described as being completely different to Kane and the series is still hoping to find a LGBT+ actress for the role. Plenty of actresses have been outspoken in wanting to play Batwoman, including Brooklyn 99 star Stephanie Beatriz and Krypton's Wallis Day. There have been no confirmed frontrunners at this point, but now a new potential star has emerged.
NEWS
In an exclusive report from The Cinema Spot it appears that Riverdale star Vanessa Morgan is being considered to play the new Ryan Wilder character for the next season of Batwoman. According to the report, Morgan has been asked to audition and will also do a screen test for the role. It should also be noted that this is still a rumor at this stage, and while Morgan has been asked to audition for the role, this doesn't exclude other potential actresses from auditioning and being cast.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Morgan definitely fits the casting bill for Ryan Wilder which describes the character as "likable, a little goofy and untamed" as well as "the most dangerous type of fighter". She's proven this in her roles on Riverdale and The Shannara Chronicles, both in which she also played an LGBT character. Morgan recently spoke out about the inadequate portrayal of black characters on Riverdale. Her potential casting as Batwoman would be a huge step forward in representation.
As a first season show, Ruby Rose's exit came as a shock. Whoever takes up her mantle has big shoes to fill with a new lead character potentially changing the entire structure of the show. All the existing characters and storylines had personal relations to Kate Kane, but many characters have been Batwoman in the comics. So, it is possible that the Ryan Wilder name is a placeholder to hide the real name of a comic accurate character.
With production beginning to ramp up again post Covid-19, it's only a matter of time before a casting announcement is made of who will be the new Batwoman.
