Ruby Rose reveals how COVID-19 pandemic played part in her decision to leave Batwoman

Ruby Rose was recently replaced on Batwoman, after announcing that she was leaving the CW show after just one season.

And the Australian actress has since been the subject of plenty of rumors regarding her exit from the titular role.

She recently opened up about her decision to leave the superhero series, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in the exit after production went on hiatus back in March.

The 34-year-old recently appeared on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show, where she addressed rumors that her back injury last month was her reason for leaving.

She stated: ‘That definitely made going back to work so quickly tricky. But they really accommodated trying to help me out the best they could, going back so early. Cause we wanted to obviously meet the release date of the show.’

Rose previously revealed last September that she underwent surgery, after herniating two discs while performing stunts, but a source told Variety that her exit ‘had nothing to do with her health or injury.’

She continued: ‘I think what played a bigger part was more, we got shut down early. We didn’t get to finish the first season, which is such a shame, especially for a first season show.

‘And then we went into lockdown with COVID and thinking of in quarantine and locked down, there was a lot of thought and reflection and everyone did it. You know, we all kind of thought about where we’re at. We were discussing the show and we had a conversation.’

The former MTV VJ added: ‘I had a great time on Batwoman. I am so proud of what we achieved. We set out to achieve something pretty significant, the first-ever live action Batwoman and the first-ever out gay superhero, her and Kate Kane. 

‘And I love that character and the whole experience, but we did have a discussion and we sort of mutually agreed that probably what was best for the show at the time was they go in a different direction and I go in a different direction.’

She doesn’t appear to have hard feelings about the decision, and she intends to watch season two, which will now star Javicia Leslie in the iconic black cape and red wig.

Rose said: ‘It was tough cause it was sad cause we will love each other, but also it made sense for so many different reasons. And I think at the end of the day, I’m really excited to watch season two. I think the show is great. I love the cast. 

‘I’m still in contact with everyone, but it was a decision that we talked about, we discussed, we slept on. But at the time with all that reflection, it just seemed like the right thing to do.’

She made history when she was cast as the lesbian superhero on the show, which premiered last October, following the character’s introduction on the CW’s DC crossover event the year before.

After her injury and the subsequent pandemic, production was cut short with 20 of the first season’s 22 episodes completed.

Rose’s departure from the role was announced in May, after the show was renewed for a second season in January.

She said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter at the time: ‘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. 

‘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.’

A source subsequently told TVLine: ‘It wasn’t 100-percent her decision. 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.’

Rose starred as the titular superhero/the alter ego of Kate Kane, cousin of fellow millionaire/superhero Bruce Wayne.

Showrunner Caroline Dries later clarified in June how they planned to handle the character’s absence in season two.

She said in a statement posted to Twitter: ‘Like you, I love Kate Kane – she’s the reason I wanted to do the show. We’ll never erase her. In fact, her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two. 

‘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.’

Javicia Leslie, 33, has already gotten to work on season two, after it was announced back in July that she’ll play a new character named Ryan Wilder, who takes over the Batwoman cape. 

She said in a statement to Deadline: ‘I am extremely proud to be the first Black actress to play the iconic role of Batwoman on television, and as a bisexual woman, I am honored to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.’