DC Comics Batwoman Series In Development At The CW

When the news came out that DC Comics’ Batwoman was coming to this year’s DCTV crossover on The CW, it probably isn’t that surprising that news surfaced this morning that a Batwoman series is in development. If it happens, it would also be the first solo superhero series with a LGBTQ+ lead on the network.

Batwoman is being developed with a script by Caroline Dries who got her start in the superhero genre with Smallville. She later went on to showrun The Vampire Diaries. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Geoff Johns are also involved in the development, which right now is just at the “script deal” stage.

Here’s the official log line:

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.

While this would be the first DC TV series with a LGBTQ+ lead as Kate Kane is a lesbian, it is hardly the first instance of diversity in Berlanti’s DC shows. Sara Lance, the “captain” of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, is bisexual; Black Lightning’s Anissa Pierce is out and proud; Supergirl lead Alex Danvers had a very well done coming out story and a trans character is on the way for Supergirl; Arrow has Curtis Holt; and The Flash has the occasionally appearing Pied Piper, among others. The Freedom Fighters: The Ray animated project also featured a gay lead engaged to an alternate version of Wentworth Miller’s Leo Snart, and Legends’ occult specialist John Constantine is bisexual.

What’s also very cool about this news is that TV Line is reporting that The CW and Warner Bros. are seeking an out lesbian actress, open ethnicity, to play between ages 25 and 29. Any casting hopes? Leave them in the comments!

The modern version of Kate Kane/Batwoman first appeared in DC Comics during the highly-regarded 52 weekly series and has starred in several acclaimed comic books and even an animated feature as one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ characters in the world of comics. Hopefully some news is coming to add to this at Comic-Con later this week.

This does bring up a question, though: Even with Sundays added to The CW schedule, could six DC shows be overkill, or could something be on its way out? Currently, Arrow is about to enter Season 7; Flash is at 5; DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl are both entering Season 4; and Black Lightning is about to start its second season.

And, yes, the @BatwomanTVNews Twitter feed has been up and ready for weeks, and a web domain is also coming, so give it a follow!