Katherine Kane, also known by her superhero alias Batwoman and supervillain alias Circe Sionis, is a fictional character in The CW's Arrowverse franchise of TV series, first mentioned in the 2018 episode "Nora" of the television series The Flash, based on the character of the same name, created by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid and Keith Giffen in 2006, and adapted for television by Caroline Dries. In this version, she is the cousin of famous superhero Bruce Wayne, living in Gotham City, and becomes a superhero in his absence. The character has been portrayed by two different actresses, Ruby Rose and Wallis Day. In the first season of the Batwoman television series, Rose portrayed Kate; when Rose was fired after the end of the season for "multiple complaints" about her behavior, Day was cast as Kate in a recurring role for the second season, while the position of series' lead was taken over by Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder, Kate's successor as Batwoman.
This version of Batwoman has also appeared in other series such as The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, for the Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover events. Kate is a wealthy individual and aspiring businesswoman, having become the acting owner of Wayne Enterprises after Bruce Wayne disappeared. When she learned that he was Batman, she took up his mantle, operating as the vigilante superhero oknown as Batwoman. After losing her memory following a plane crash, Kate is then taken in by Roman Sionis, becoming the supervillain Circe.
Concept and creation
Kate Kane's version of Batwoman is a relatively recently created DC Comics character, first appearing in 52 #11 in 2006. She has only appeared in live-action in the Arrowverse series and has also made cameo appearances in numerous animated projects. With the announcement that, during the Elseworlds crossover event, Batwoman would make her debut, Ruby Rose was cast as Kate Kane and would later return to the role in her own series titled Batwoman. She also appeared in the crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths. As of 2022, she has appeared in five out of the seven Arrowverse shows: The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Batwoman and Legends of Tomorrow.
Characterization
Rose said that she took the role too serious, and had a diet, while training everyday, something easy to her after she starred in xXx: Return of Xander Cage and John Wick: Chapter 2. Rose admitted to being a fan of the character before she was cast, and got emotional when she did. She also added that the sexuality of the character, which is lesbian, was an important part of the show, and something that got her on board. When asked if she is a female version of Batman, she said that she is nothing like him, and she is a "game-changing" character. She also said that her character would be a strong woman, and inspiration for all women and young women of the world. Rose left the show in 2020, initially claiming abuse by the studio; however, in October 2021, Warner Bros. and Luke Fox actor Camrus Johnson confirmed that Rose had actually been fired from the series following "multiple complaints about [her] workplace behavior that were extensively reviewed and handled privately out of respect for all concerned" over the course of an investigation that took place over several months.
Her place took actress Wallis Day, who would be playing the same character as her, making little changes to her portrayal. When asked what she likes more about the character, she said "Batwoman is awesome, [...], Kate Kane is obviously such a huge character in the superhero world, so playing her is surreal but an honour.", while also saying that she will try to be comic accurate, something the fans want from adaptations of superheroes.