Earlier this month, Ruby Rose (Orange Is the New Black, John Wick: Chapter 2), former lead actress for The CW’s Batwoman unexpectedly announced that she would not be returning to the series, according to Variety, Rose has recently shared on Instagram her parting words to the Batwoman role.
Despite Rose not going into grave detail over the ordeal, she wrote in the Instagram post that leaving Batwoman “wasn’t an easy decision, but those who know, know…” Variety asserts. Remarking the first lead TV role of her career, she also thanked “everyone for coming on this journey. If I mentioned everyone it would be 1000 tags…but thank you to the cast, crew, producers and studio…I didn’t want to not acknowledge everyone involved and how big this was for TV and for our community. I have stayed silent because that’s my choice for now but know I adore you all.”’
Rose’s departure from the role was not surprising to some considering that she had undergone emergency surgery in September of 2019 for two herniated discs, but Variety sources confirm that the actresses leaving “had nothing to do” with the previous ailment. The former lead actress also went public about her mental health issues in October stating that she “struggled with mental health my entire life,” she mentioned in an Instagram post. Amidst being diagnosed with depression at 13 years old, Rose admitted to attempting suicide and being hospitalized at various times in her life.
Batwoman was renewed for a second season in January and aimed at an early 2021 premiere before COVID-19 social distancing constructs were implemented. This was shortly before Rose announced her exit of the series.
The CW superhero show claims that it will begin searching for “new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months,” in a previous statement issued announcing Rose’s departure, The Hollywood Reporter states. There are currently no other developments regarding the shows future cast or production crew.