Poison Ivy has arrived on Batwoman -- and she wears a familiar face. Since she was infected by one of the missing Bat Trophies, Mary Hamilton-Kane will find herself transformed into the fan-favorite supervillain. Now, The CW has revealed the official first look at Mary's Poison Ivy before she debuts in "Pick Your Poison," which airs Wednesday, Nov. 24.
In addition to the first-look photo, The CW also offered an official description of Mary's upcoming story arc in Batwoman Season 3. According to that description,
Now that she's been infected by Poison Ivy, the selfless and caring Mary Hamilton (Nicole Kang) we've come to know and love is taking a backseat to a pernicious and virulent version of herself. No longer content with her supporting role on the Bat Team, Poison Ivy Mary uses her newfound powers to stand up, stand out and express her most deeply buried opinions and desires -- regardless of who or what may be in her way. But more awaits Mary as her destiny delivers her at the root of her new persona, as she realizes her power bloomed to give life to another... Gotham's long lost and most infamous botanist.
"As we've watched the fallout of Batman's Rogues' weapons this season, we wanted to make a few of these 'trophies' personal to our Bat Team, and Mary felt like the ideal character to go through a major 'photosynthesis,'" showrunner Caroline Dries said in a statement. "The fun part of making each villain's powers transferable is that we get to do our own spin on the character -- this one through the lens of what Mary would create: something heightened, playful, fashion-forward and sexy. It was so exciting to work alongside Nicole as we picked hair color, eye color and, of course, the clothing itself. But it wasn't until Nicole showed up on set and absolutely killed her performance that the character of Poison Ivy Mary was complete."
"I'm so excited to bring you Poison Ivy," Mary actor Nicole Kang shared. "She's here... finally! That's a sentence I never thought I'd say. Wow. In our story, I am most proud that Poison Ivy is an Asian villain whose danger does not stem from her foreignness or her mystique. Instead, we discover her personal motivations alongside those of the OG Poison Ivy's and see them intertwine in an organic and powerful way. I am so humbled to be a Korean girl in line behind THE Uma Thurman to play the next live action Poison Ivy (what?!). Hopefully the future holds space for others like me and beyond to portray one hell of a character. For everything you’ve let me feel, scream, and become through you, Poison Ivy -- thank you."
"It was a collaboration all around to help bring Caroline Dries' vision for Poison Ivy Mary to life," costume designer Maya Mani recalled. "I created this costume to reflect Mary's desire to be seen and heard by those closest to her, while maintaining her unique eye for fun and fanciful fashion; a strong shoulder and a corset to symbolize a trellis guiding her alter ego upwards."
"I envisioned her character being intrinsically powerful, alluring and seductive; it was the combination of beautiful glowy skin, with colors selected to enhance and celebrate Nicole’s complexion and structure," makeup department head Cory Roberts added.
"Nicole and I tried multiple wigs in different shades of red till we found the perfect one so that we didn't lose 'Mary' in all the glamour but could reflect her and bring out her Poison Ivy alter ego," hair department head Ashley Young said.
In Batwoman Season 3 so far, Ryan Wilder and her team have been on the hunt for Batman's missing trophies, which were samples he saved of each villain he ever faced. The season launched with an Alice super fan stumbling across Mad Hatter's hat; thanks to the technology it contained, he was able to control others against their will, allowing him to essentially become the "new" Mad Hatter for an episode. Similarly, Mary was infested by the Poison Ivy Bat Trophy, leading to her transformation in the photo above.
Batwoman airs Wednesdays at 9 pm ET/PT on The CW. Kang will make her debut as Poison Ivy "Pick Your Poison" on Nov. 24.