The CW announced its latest fall schedule on Thursday and revealed the trailer for its freshman DC Comics drama, Batwoman, which features Orange is the New Black grad Ruby Rose.
With over 200,000 dislikes on YouTube — and only 60,000 likes — it is clear that fans are underwhelmed by the trailer for the newest entry to the DC Universe. Fans are criticizing the trailer for “cringey” dialogue and bad acting. Based on the like to dislike ratio and the largely negative comments, the scripted live-action drama has missed the mark for fans of Batwoman. If the trailer is indicative of the final product, low ratings and a show cancellation may be in the CW’s future.
When Ruby Rose was announced as the series lead in the summer of 2018, she received fan push-back and barrage of criticism on social media, which caused her to temporarily quit Twitter. As the first openly gay superhero to headline a TV series, Ruby Rose’s casting was considered to be a watershed moment for LGBT representation in the media.
In the trailer, audiences get a glimpse of the Bat suit. When a nerdy-type man says, “The suit is literal perfection,” Kate Kane responds that “[the suit] will be… when it fits a woman.” It is clear from the trailer that Kate Kane (Ruby Rose) is characterized as a fierce feminist, and her not-so-subtle lines about female empowerment have been perceived by fans as heavy-handed and generic.
Batwoman will air in front of Supergirl on Sunday nights, drawing in female viewership. Although the trailer has not been well-received, fans are still excited about the diversity of the cast. Batwoman is confirmed to be a part of the highly-anticipated crossover event, “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” which will include Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow.
Batwoman will air on Sundays this fall on the CW.