Ruby Roses stole our hearts in Orange Is the New Black, and she looks poised to do the same in next year’s new Batwoman, in which she will play the title character, and the first openly-queer superhero in a TV series. We got a sneak peak of her new character in Sunday’s annual DCTV’s mega crossover event that brings The Flash, Supergirl, and Green Arrow together to fight crime. But this year’s crossover also introduced us to the new Caped Crusader of Gotham: Rose as Batwoman.
Lesbians around the country undoubtedly swooned when Rose first appeared on screen, decked out in red and black. It was immediately clear that the character of Batwoman will allow us to see a new side to Rose, who most of us got to know as the swaggering Stella Carlin who eventually broke our hears on OITNB. But from last night’s crossover event, it looks like black might just be the new orange for Rose, who arrived with a scowl and proceeded to kick some major butt.
Rose’s portrayal of Batwoman isn’t only remarkable because Batwoman is arguable the most prominent queer character in the DC world, but also because Rose will be the first openly lesbian lead in a DC or Marvel superhero show. Rose called the opportunity, “a childhood dream,” when the casting announcements were made in August of 2018, and explained, “This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on TV and felt alone and different.”
We are so happy to see Rose living her dream as Batwoman, and just as excited for the generation of young queer people who get to see her kick butt and take names. As the crossover event revealed, Batwoman is certainly going to have her hands full.
