The CW Developing Series Centered on Batwoman, the Lesbian Hero Gotham Needs

Batwoman may be joining the ranks of The CW’s expanding universe of superheroes. As Deadline reports, the network is developing a potential series after announcing that Batwoman would make an appearance in its upcoming Arrowverse crossover event scheduled for December.

The Arrowverse consists of The CW’s current sphere of DC-centric shows, including Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl. The December crossover event isn’t the network’s first; prior to getting his own show, The Flash was introduced via a two-episode arc on Arrow. While The CW intends to do something similar with Batwoman, it’s unclear which of The CW’s existing series the superhero—and Gotham itself—would be introduced through.

If Batwoman gets picked up, she would be the first openly gay leading superhero in a live-action series. The character first appeared in 1956 as Batman’s love interest. After a long hiatus, Batwoman was reintegrated into DC continuity in 2006 as Kate Kane (instead of Kathy), an out Jewish lesbian fighting crime in Gotham in Batman’s absence, a convenient opportunity for DC to diversify its publications. In The CW’s potential series, Batwoman “must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope,” despite being a highly trained street fighter.

The series is being developed by Caroline Dries, a longtime executive producer on The Vampire Diaries, and Arrowverse architect Greg Berlanti. Berlanti recently directed teen romantic comedy Love, Simon and currently has a record 14 shows on air, including six on The CW. The pair will executive produce alongside Sarah Schechter and Geoff Johns, who is also producing Warner Bros.’ Batgirl feature film. Joss Whedon recently left the film project, but has since been replaced with a female writer, Bumblebee scribe Christina Hodson.

Casting begins soon for Batwoman’s crossover appearance, so be sure to check back for further updates on the series’ development.