Australian actress/model Ruby Rose has announced she’s leaving Greg Berlanti‘s Batwoman TV show. As the show has already been renewed for a second season, the starring role will need to be recast.

Ruby Rose had been starring as Kate Kane, cousin to Bruce Wayne, who had taken over Wayne’s position as the masked protector of Gotham City. Kane is openly Lesbian. Rose considers herself genderfluid.

Variety reported that “In a statement issued announcing Rose’s departure, the studio, network, and Berlanti Productions said they would be seeking “a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months.” With most of the USA and Canada in Lockdown at the moment, it is impossible to predict when it will be safe for the CW to resume filming.

“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to ‘Batwoman’ next season.  This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles,” the statement from Rose reads. “I am beyond appreciative to Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Caroline Dries for not only giving me this incredible opportunity, but for welcoming me into the DC universe they have so beautifully created. Thank you Peter Roth and Mark Pedowitz and the teams at Warner Bros. and The CW who put so much into the show and always believed in me. Thank you to everyone who made season one a success – I am truly grateful.”

It is entirely possible that Ms. Rose’s decision derived from a serious injury received by a production assistant during a location shoot last March resulting in paralysis, as well as one she received herself in September while doing one of her own stunts. Her own injuries had required emergency surgery to correct damage to her neck that could have left her a paraplegic. Situations like this add up, and Ms. Rose could well have done the emotional arithmatic resulting in her decision to back away from the role.

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