While Alice will still be causing trouble in Season 2 of Batwoman, a new villain will show her face in Gotham.
As part of its big piece on the new season of The CW's Batwoman, Entertainment Weekly spoke with showrunner Caroline Dries about the show's new lead, new direction and new villain. Though Alice will remain a key antagonist, comic book character Safiyah Sohail will be introduced in the series premiere. Safiyah was previously teased in Season 1, and her arrival will show a new side of Alice.
"Their dynamic is amazing, because Alice is [normally] the strongest, most manipulative person in the room," said Dries. "And when she's with Safiyah, she's a little deferential to Safiyah. It's a new dynamic and it's very intriguing to watch."
First appearing in Batwoman: Rebirth #1 in 2017, Safiyah was created by Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV and Steve Epting. She and Kate become lovers in the comics, but she eventually comes to Gotham as a villain, one hoping to use Alice to further her aims. On the show, her previous name-drop came when the big bad tried to acquire tech to pierce Batwoman's armor, teasing her past with Alice. And as Dries teased, their relationship is one that puts Alice in a position she isn't used to: subservience.
The CW's Batwoman recently released the synopsis for the Season 2 premiere, which will see Ryan Wilder and Alice face off for the first time:
As friends and family hold on to hope that Kate may still be found, a homeless 25-year-old named Ryan Wilder stumbles upon Kate’s Batsuit. Focused on no longer being a victim, Ryan takes the suit to use as armor and goes rogue in the streets of Gotham, taking out various members of a new gang called the False Face Society. Meanwhile, both Jacob Kane and Luke Fox launch searches for Kate, Mary Hamilton grapples with losing yet another family member, Sophie Moore struggles with things left unsaid to her first love, and Alice is furious that someone got to Kate before she could exact her revenge.
At the same time, “Bruce Wayne” (played by guest star Warren Christie) returns under the pretense of searching for Kate, but the truth is he wants his suit back and it becomes the clash of impostors as “Batwoman” and “Bruce” square off in the action-packed season premiere.
Batwoman stars Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Dougray Scott and Nicole Kang. Season 2 premieres on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
Source: Entertainment Weekly