Ruby Rose To Play Lesbian Batwoman For CW's Superhero Universe

(CNN) -- "Orange is the New Black" alum Ruby Rose is going to suit up for the CW in a history-making role.

The actress has been cast to play Batwoman in both the annual DC superhero crossover event on the network and in a pilot for possible series consideration.

CW has confirmed its version of the character will be an out lesbian with "a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind." She is a "highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city's criminal resurgence."

Rose is best known to American TV audiences as Stella on Netflix's "Orange is the New Black" but was a prominent model and host in her native Australian for several years before that.

Rose's casting comes on the heels of CW casting activist Nicole Maines as the first trans superhero, who is set to join the network's series "Supergirl" next season.

The CW's superhero crossover event will air in December.

The Batwoman series is in development for the 2019-2020 season, with executive producer/writer Caroline Dries at the helm, as well as executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Geoff Johns.

The-CNN-Wire
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