The CW's Gotham Knights - What We Know So Far
Just a day after The CW took an ax to a large slate of shows, including ending the long-running "The Vampire Diaries" franchise with the cancellation of "Legacies," the network announced three pilots were ordered. "The Winchesters," a prequel to "Supernatural," "Walker: Independence," a prequel to "Walker," and finally, another installment into their DC franchise, "Gotham Knights."
The announcement of "Gotham Knights" (via Variety) is a curious decision coming after the cancellation of other "Arrowverse" properties "Batwoman" and "Legends of Tomorrow." While the future of the DC-related properties is up in the air with the impending sale of The CW (via Deadline), the addition of "Gotham Knights" may signal that the end isn't quite here yet for the comic book-based TV franchise.
"Arrowverse" mastermind Greg Berlanti and his production company, Berlanti Productions, will be involved in bringing the Batman-related series to life, giving a little insight into what viewers can expect. Here is everything we know about the series so far.
What is Gotham Knights about?
In the comics, The Knights Program, which became known as the Gotham Knights, was an initiative to create a more strict version of the Batfamily, including Batman, Batwoman, Robin, and others. There is also a video game of the same name releasing on October 5, including Nightwing/Dick Grayson, Red Hood/Jason Todd, Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, and Robin/Tim Drake (per the website), but this project is not related.
The CW version of "Gotham Knights" will take place in the wake of Batman's death, and feature Bruce Wayne's rebellious adopted son as he forms alliances with past sidekicks of the Caped Crusader and the children of some of his most notorious villains. The group will work to clear their names after they are framed for the murder of the Dark Knight himself (via EW).
While the series will borrow the idea of Batman-related characters coming together in a team known as the Gotham Knights and a Batman-less Gotham City storyline, this essentially feels like a completely original introduction into both the Batman mythos and the DCTV extended universe.
Who is in the cast of Gotham Knights?
While the possibility of DC and "Arrowverse" crossovers could write themselves, they shouldn't be expected. With the cancelation of "Batwoman," it seems Greg Berlanti is starting anew; this is the confirmed cast so far.
Oscar Morgan ("Millie Inbetween") is set to be the lead as Turner Hayes, the adopted son of Bruce Wayne. The character was created specifically for the series, adding a new depth to the Batman mythos for The CW. Perhaps the most noteworthy cast member is "Supernatural" alum Misha Collins, who will be taking on the iconic part of Harvey Dent (per Variety). While he eventually becomes Two-Face in the comics, we'll have to wait and see if that is his character arc on "Gotham Knights."
Olivia Rose Keegan ("Days of Our Lives") is playing Duela, an unhinged survivor of a life that began with being born in Arkham Asylum. She seems to be a play on the comic character Duela Dent, who claimed to be the daughter of Riddler, Joker, and Harvey Dent (she appeared as Joker's daughter in "Batwoman" Season 1, Episode 14, "Grinning from Ear to Ear," played by Alessandra Torresani). "Raven's Home" star Navia Ziraili will portray Carrie Kelley, the first-ever female Robin who appeared in Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" graphic novel. Anna Lore ("All American") will portray Stephanie Brown, who has donned the Batgirl cowl and created her superhero character, Spoiler. Fallon Smythe and Tyler DiChiara round out the team as the LGBTQ+ siblings, Harper and Cullen Row (per Variety).
When will Gotham Knights be released?
Earlier this year, the pilot for "Gotham Knights" set its production start for April (via Collider). With the pilot obviously being successful enough to be ordered to series, it seems Berlanti would kick the production into high gear to get Season 1 to the screens as early as 2023. The production has already been spotted in Toronto, per a TikTok from a local, making the Canadian city the next Gotham. Toronto joins a long list of Gotham stand-ins, including Chicago for Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy and London for Matt Reeves's "The Batman."
With the CW only ordering three series this year, we expect getting "Gotham Knights" to the screens will be a priority for the network. Even though there is an outside possibility of it being a mid-season replacement for one of their many axed shows, we should not expect it to premiere until next season.