Ruby Rose alleges toxic work environment on ‘Batwoman’ set; WB claims Rose was fired over ‘multiple complaints’

Ruby Rose got more candid than ever this week about their time on the first season of The CW’s Batwoman show. In a multi-part Instagram story posted to their account Wednesday, the actor leveled a finger of accusation against numerous parties, including showrunner Caroline Dries and former Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group, Peter Roth.

Rose explained they were emboldened to speak out by the recent actions of Scarlett Johansson (who brought a lawsuit against Disney for Black Widow damages) and the IATSE (which threatened to cripple domestic film and television production with a massive strike unless a deal for better working conditions could be reached). The actor also claimed their beef with Warner Bros. resulted in them being fired from the studio's upcoming sequel to The Meg.

“Enough is enough,” Rose began. “I’m going to tell the whole world what really happened on that set. I will come for you, so what happened to me never happens to another person again. And so I can finally take back my life and the truth. Shame on you.”

The actor alleged they were mistreated by the producers and studio following an on-set accident that required invasive spinal surgery. “To everyone who said I was too stiff on Batwoman: imagine going back to work 10 days after this..10 DAYS!!!!!!” Rose exclaimed. “Peter Roth said he would’ve recast … instead of spending half a day to rewrite me out for a few weeks to heal.

Warner Bros. Television Group hit back against the allegations with the following statement provided to SYFY WIRE:

“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 2 of Batwoman based on multiple complaints about workplace behavior that were extensively reviewed and handled privately out of respect for all concerned.”

Credit: The CW

In addition to their back injury, Rose was apparently not happy with the way production forged ahead at the height of the COVID-19 health crisis in spring of 2020. Elaborating on previous comments they made about soul-searching amid the pandemic, they claimed: 

“Caroline Dries has no heart and wanted to finish the season throughout the pandemic and I told her it was a bad idea…I told her everyone was too distracted, constantly checking COVID updates, checking on friends and seeing Riverdale, The Flash, and Supergirl shut down already. I felt something bad would happen.”

Rose then cited two incidents: one in which a crew member sustained third-degree burns to the face and one in which a production assistant was left paralyzed from the neck down. “We shut down the next day,” Rose claimed with regards to the latter accident. “Not because she [Dries] almost killed someone, but the government pulled it. Also, I fought people on set, yes, not because I wanted to, but because I wanted safety."

Rose officially exited the series in May of 2020, but neither the actor nor Warner Bros. Television Group provided a specific reason as to why. Not long after, however, it was reported that their decision to leave the project was supposedly the result of not being able to cope with the rigorous schedule required for television.

“It wasn’t 100 percent her decision,” a source close to the show told TVLine at the time. “It was a breakup. She wasn’t happy working on the show, and did that make her fun to work with? No. So, everyone decided it would be in the best interests of the show, and for all concerned, if they parted ways. It just wasn’t a good fit.”

Javicia Leslie was brought on board several months later — not to play Kate Kane, but a brand-new character named Ryan Wilder. While Rose previously said they’d be open to an Arrowverse return, it’s unlikely the actor will be asked back now.

“In closing, please to my dear, dear fans: stop asking if I will return to that awful show. I wouldn’t return for any amount of money nor if a gun were to my head,” Rose concluded. “NOR DID I QUIT. I DO NOT QUIT. They ruined Kate Kane and they destroyed Batwoman, not me. I followed orders and if I wanted to stay, I was going to have to sign my rights away. Any threats, any bullying tactics, any blackmail will not make me stand down.”

The character of Kate Kane returned in Season 2 to wrap up her lingering arc, where she was played by Wallis Day.