How ‘Batwoman’ Season 2 Will Keep Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane Involved

Ruby Rose will not appear onscreen as Kate Kane in The CW’s “Batwoman” Season 2, but that doesn’t mean she’s dead. In fact, showrunner Caroline Dries confirmed that the character would not be killed off in a statement released Wednesday.

“As a lesbian who’s been working as a writer for the past fifteen years, I’m well aware of the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope and I have no interest in participating in it,” Dries said. “That’s why it’s important to me as the showrunner to clarify any misinformation out there about Kate Kane and recasting Batwoman.”

Over the weekend, Dries confirmed that Rose’s Kate Kane would be replaced by a new character rather than recast, so fans have been wondering what will happen to Kate. While much has been speculation, reports started circulating that insiders claimed Kate Kane would be killed off. However, Dries makes it clear in her statement that those rumors are false.

READ: Everything We Know About ‘Batwoman’ Season 2

“Like you, I love Kate Kane – she’s the reason I wanted to do the show. We’ll never erase her,” Dries promised. “In fact, her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of Season 2. I don’t want to give away any of our surprises, but to all our devoted fans, please know that LGBTQ+ justice is at the very core of what ‘Batwoman’ is and we have no intention of abandoning that.”

That clears up one mystery. Kate Kane will disappear from Gotham. Could she go missing the same way Bruce Wayne/Batman went AWOL? That was one of International Business Times’ theories when the news of Rose’s exit was first announced, but fans will have to wait and see what happens.

Rose’s exit was first announced last month. Rose, Warner Bros. and The CW all decided it would be best to part ways. The Australian actress, who had never done a U.S. broadcast TV show, reportedly found it difficult to adjust to the workload and living in Vancouver. An accident from a stunt on the show left her with a spinal injury that caused “chronic pain” and needed surgery.

What’s unclear is how Kate’s sisters will remain involved with the new Batwoman. Kate’s twisted relationship with her evil twin Alice (Rachel Skarsten) and her growing bond with stepsister Mary (Nicole Kang) was a focal point of the drama’s first season.

“Batwoman” Season 2 has not started production yet. The show is expected to return to the CW in 2021.