Ruby Rose is breaking her silence—sort of—about her sudden departure from Batwoman, the CW action series in which she played the titular heroine. In an Instagram post, the actor bid farewell to the series, remaining slightly cryptic about the reason she left the show after just one season.
“It wasn’t an easy decision but those who know, know,” Rose wrote. “I have stayed silent because that’s my choice for now but know I adore you all.”
She continued, broadly thanking “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.” Rose also gave her blessing to the show’s future. “I’m sure next season will be amazing also,” she wrote. “Xxx *hangs up cowl and cape.”
Rose’s departure from the series was announced just over one week ago, much to the surprise of Batwoman fans. When she was initially cast, Rose, who identifies as a lesbian, made history as the first LGBTQ star to anchor a network superhero series. A reason was not given for her exit, though it had previously been reported that Rose had been in immense physical distress while working on the series, undergoing an emergency surgery in 2019 after suffering from two herniated discs during a stunt. “I was risking becoming paralyzed,” Rose explained in an Instagram post at the time, sharing a graphic video of her surgery. “I was in chronic pain and yet couldn’t feel my arms.”
A report from TVLine also suggested that her departure was inevitable, as a result of the grueling hours demanded of the star.
“It wasn’t 100% her decision,” a source close to the show told the outlet. “It was a breakup. She wasn’t happy working on the show, and did that make her fun to work with? No. So everyone decided it would be in the best interests of the show, and for all concerned, if they parted ways. It just wasn’t a good fit.”
In a joint statement released shortly after her announced departure, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television said Rose’s role would be recast with an actor from the LGBTQ community.
“[We] thank Ruby for her contributions to the success of our first season and wish her all the best,” the statement read, per TVLine. “The studio and network are firmly committed to Batwoman’s second season and long-term future, and we—along with the show’s talented creative team—look forward to sharing its new direction, including the casting of a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months.”
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