Why Wallis Day is a perfect choice to take over as Batwoman’s Kate Kane

Though Batwoman season 2 has built much of its story around the disappearance of Kate Kane, most of us simply assumed this was a story that was never really going anywhere. After all, the series had to somehow write off its leading lady in such a way that allowed someone else to take up the cowl – and without requiring its original owner to be dead first. (Which, I think we can all agree was the best possible outcome – killing Kate Kane off would have been a huge mistake.)

Kate Kane’s disappearance seemed largely necessary for Ryan Wilder’s arrival, and most viewers probably assumed we’d never see our original Batwoman again. After all, Ryan was busily making a place for herself in the world of the show, and building her own relationships with holdover characters like Mary and Luke who originally had strong connections to Kate.

Well, we were all sure wrong, huh? (And doesn’t it feel nice?)

In the season 2 episode, “Survived Much Worse,” the show revealed a recast Kate Kane, now played by Krypton actress Wallis Day. She will apparently have a major guest role throughout the back half of the second season, though it’s unclear whether Day will stick around beyond that point. (Here’s hoping!)

“Wallis Day is going to be playing our altered version of Kate Kane, and she’s an amazing actress,” showrunner Caroline Dries told TVLine. “I’m excited for you guys to see the journey that she endures.” How the show will explain Kate’s new appearance – or the body parts that supposedly had her DNA – is unknown. But, finding out should be…interesting at least.

Many Batwoman fans are likely unfamiliar with Day and her work, but rest assured: She is a talented actress more than capable of taking on the physical aspect of the Kate Kane role. If you missed her role as Nyssa Vex on SYFY’s late, lamented Superman prequel series, Krypton, it was a part that allowed her to run the gamut as an actress from a vengeful schemer to a strong-willed heroine and everything in between.  (Plus, Nyssa turned out to be Superman’s grandmother!)

As a performer, Day has repeatedly displayed the mix of edge and heart that generally characterizes Kate and is more than capable of the sort of complex fight sequences we’ve often seen on Batwoman. Her scenes opposite actors like Ann Ogbomo and Hannah Waddingham are nothing so much as evidence of the fact that her future face-offs with Rachel Skarsten will be epic.

Basically, if a recast had to happen, Day is one of the best choices we could have possibly ended up with, and I can’t wait to see what her Kate does in Gotham. (Well, once she recovers from her burns and other debilitating injuries of course.)

What do you think of Wallis Day as the new Kate Kane on Batwoman? Sound off in the comments.