Last month, the CW announced that Gotham heroine Batwoman would be the centerpiece of the annual network-wide “Arrowverse” crossover event. Yesterday, it became clear that we were getting much, much more than that.
According to TV Line, Batwoman is getting her own television series on the CW, expanding their already considerable stable of superhero and comics-related programming.
From the press release:
Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate Kane soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet. In a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope.
Batwoman will add another female-led superhero show to the Arrowverse, and will be the first openly lesbian character to carry a superhero television show. TV Line is also reporting that the network is searching for a lesbian actress to play the lesbian crimefighter.
While superhero movies make timid steps in the direction of queer representation, the lower-risk world of television has been blazing ahead and proving that diversity can be a key component to mainstream success.
Caroline Dries (The Vampire Diaries) will write the project, executive-producing alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Geoff Johns.