Ruby Rose is opening up about the reason behind her decision to step away from her lead role on The CW’s Batwoman.
Back in May, Ruby made a shocking announcement: she was hanging up her cape and cowl after just one season of Batwoman – despite the show’s renewal for a second season. However, Ruby and the show’s producers haven’t exactly shared the reasons why she’s exiting.
Reflecting on her journey as Batwoman, she wrote, in part, in an Instagram post, “It wasn’t an easy decision but those who know, know.. I didn’t want to not acknowledge everyone involved and how big this was for TV and for our community. I have stayed silent because that’s my choice for now but know I adore you all. I’m sure next season will be amazing also.”
The CW and Warner Bros. TV have since announced that Javicia Leslie has been cast as the new lead in Batwoman. However, fans continued to speculate on the reasons for Ruby’s exit from the show.
In a recent interview, Ruby finally revealed that two major factors led her to arrive at her surprising decision. “Being the lead of a superhero show is tough. Being the lead in anything is tough,” Ruby told Entertainment Weekly. “But I think, in that particular instance, it was a lot more difficult because I was still recovering from my surgery. I had my surgery and then 10 days later I went to work, which maybe wasn’t the best idea. Most people take about a month or three off before they return to work.”
ICYMI, last September, Ruby opened up about having to undergo surgery for on-set injuries she sustained performing stunts. “A couple of months ago I was told I needed an emergency surgery or I was risking becoming paralyzed,” she explained on Instagram. “I had herniated two discs doing stunts, and they were close to severing my spinal chord.”
Ruby went on to share that aside from the surgery, the coronavirus pandemic also became a factor in her decision, “especially because after we wrapped up we didn’t get to finish the real finale because of COVID.”
“You know, you have time in quarantine and sort of isolation to just think about a lot of different things and what you want to achieve in life and what you want to do,” the actress revealed. “I think for both [me and the producers], it was a great opportunity to have a dialogue about a lot of things. I respect them so much and they’ve been so respectful to me.”
“I think it was actually a beautiful way to do something, especially since that was the first time it’s ever been done — the first time Batwoman has ever been played in live-action and that she was LGBTQ,” she continued. “I’m very honored to have been able to play her.”
As for her thoughts on Javicia’s casting, “I think she definitely knows what she’s doing and she seems fantastic,” Ruby shared. “I think that honestly, I was so proud and so happy when I was told who would be replacing me. I’m just really stoked and I’m definitely going to watch the next season as well and see how it all comes together.”
