Batwoman fans urge HBO Max to step in and save series after cancellation

A still of the superhero Batwoman from the CW series of the same name

Batwoman fans are urging HBO to save the queer superhero series after news broke that it won’t be returning for a new season. 

The second and third series of the show followed former convict Ryan Wilder (Javicia Leslie) as she takes on the mantle of Batwoman to protect Gotham City. Leslie became the first-ever Black Batwoman when she took on the role from Ruby Rose back in 2020.

While the CW show was a fan-favourite, Batwoman showrunner and writer Caroline Dries revealed on Twitter Saturday (29 April) that the show wouldn’t be returning for a fourth season. 

“Just got the sad news that Batwoman will not be seeing an S4,” Dries said. “I am bummed, but full of gratitude.”

Davies added it was an honour to “make 51 episodes” and to work alongside “so many inspiring, brilliant people” who contributed to the show. 

Fans did not take the news lightly that their beloved show was being taken off the air, and the hashtag “SaveBatwoman” started trending on Twitter over the weekend. Some people on social media called on HBO Max – the show’s current streaming home – to step in to save Batwoman.

https://twitter.com/nmrslb/status/1520842281149997058

https://twitter.com/ricschaos/status/1520873047368114183

Leslie shared a sentimental post on Instagram about her time on Batwoman. She shared photos and videos of herself on the series, sneaky behind-the-scenes footage and having some fun with her co-stars. 

Leslie said she “spoke this role into my life” and described how it was an honour to “watch it play out exactly how it was meant to”.

“Family, this Bat Team is ours,” she wrote, “HERstory was made and it can never be taken.”

Batwoman premiered in 2019 with Rose as Kate Kane, who was an openly gay hero in season one. Rose exited the show and alleged that toxic work behaviour on the Batwoman set led to their injuries

But Warner Bros Television, which made the series, claimed that Rose was “let go” from the show because of “multiple complaints about workplace behaviour”. 

In a statement, it said: “Despite the revisionist history that Ruby Rose is now sharing online aimed at the producers, the cast and crew, the network, and the Studio, the truth is that Warner Bros Television had decided not to exercise its option to engage Ruby for season two of Batwoman based on multiple complaints about workplace behaviour that were extensively reviewed and handled privately out of respect for all concerned.”

Batwoman isn’t the only Arrowverse show that won’t be returning next year as the CW also cancelled Legends of Tomorrow after its seventh seasonLegends of Tomorrow also had fantastic LGBT+ representation with asexual hero Spooner and bisexual leader Sara Lance.  

Dries did not hint that the show would be picked up by HBO Max. PinkNews has reached out to HBO for comment.