Kate Kane will look a bit different in the next season of The CW's Batwoman, as star Ruby Rose has announced she will not be returning for season two. Although the series has already been renewed for a second season by the network, Rose claims she made the choice to depart the series in a public statement. "I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season," Rose says of her Batwoman exit. "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."

No specific reason has been given by Ruby Rose or Warner Bros. TV for the actress moving on, but both sides appear to be treating the departure amicably. "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," Rose said, adding that she's "truly grateful" for everyone who made season one a success. In response to the news, the Batwoman team said this in response: "Warner Bros. Television, The CW and Berlanti Productions thank Ruby for her contributions to the success of our first season and wish her all the best."

A part of the Arrowverse, Batwoman premiered on The CW back in October. The story picks up in a crime-ridden Gotham City where apparently Batman and Bruce Wayne have gone missing for the past three years. Stepping in to become the new hero that Gotham needs is Bruc'es cousin, Kate Kane, played by Rose in the show's first season. Renewed by the network in January, the 20-episode freshman season just aired its finale days ago, and up to this point, it had always appeared Rose would be back in the lead role for season two.

Still, production on the second season is moving forward sans Rose, with the studio and network feeling strongly that the series still has long-term potential on the network. "We - along with the show's talented creative team - look forward to sharing its new direction, including the casting of a new lead actress and member of the LGBTQ community, in the coming months," the Batwoman team states. It's now up to the creative team to figure out how to handle the recasting moving ahead, but I'd just like to point out that the first eason did introduce an iconic Batman villain known for his skills in facial replacement surgery.

Of course, Rose's exit doesn't necessarily mean that a new actress will be playing Kate Kane. It's possible Kate will opt to leave Gotham, leaving the suit behind for a new superheroine to adopt the Batwoman moniker. In any case, Rose won't be there, which is certainly a bummer to those who enjoyed her in the first season of the series. Hopefully, the right casting choice for season two will bring those Batwoman fans back when the new episodes air in 2021. This news comes to us from Deadline.