Since the start of Batwoman Season 2, Kate Kane has found herself in one precarious situation after another. The season premiere sent her crashing into Gotham Harbor after her plane back from National City blew up. Then, Roman Sionis -- who runs the False Face Society as the notorious Black Mask -- fished her out of the water to hold her captive. Accusing her of his daughter's murder, he proceeded to torture her for months, then threatened her with the mysterious Dr. Rhyme, who has the ability to erase and replace memories. Now, according to Kate Kane actor Wallis Day, the character is in for even more trauma when Day makes her debut in May 2's episode "Initiate Self-Destruct."
Speaking to CBR, Day broke down Kate Kane as a character, praising her drive for justice and her desire to make the world a better place. She explained her audition process, from series star Ruby Rose's exit last May through to this January, when showrunner Caroline Dries offered her the part. She teased that Kate will be in a "vulnerable position" that will leave her "fighting for who she is" when her story picks up. She also shared her research process, what her Krypton character Nyssa-Vex would think about Kate and more.
CBR: Considering the circumstances, I'm sure the audition process for Kate Kane was a little unconventional. How did you land the role?
Wallis Day: Yeah, so I actually went out for it last year, when they announced the departure of Ruby [Rose]. But a few weeks into the process, they said that they were heading in a different direction. But [showrunner] Caroline [Dries] wrote me an email letter and just said, "Listen, we're going in a different direction, but if we do end up bringing Kate back, I'll give you a call." And I was just like, [sighs] "Yeah, right, everyone always says this to the actors!"
But to be honest, I was really upset about it, because it just felt like such a right move. You never really get excited, because you kind of get used to rejection as an actor, but it just gnawed at me. In January, Caroline called, and I was like, "Yes, I do still want to play Kate! Let's do it!" And here we are.
Obviously, Kate Kane is an established character in both the comics and on the show, so she has quite a bit of history. How did you prepare to play her in Batwoman Season 2?
Yeah, she does! So much! I actually did quite a lot of prep. I watched all of Season 1, all of Season 2 that they'd filmed; they sent them to me. I asked for all of the scripts because I wanted to have my take on the character and her relationship with the other characters. So I read all of them. I actually went to a comic book store even when I got to Vancouver, and I was like, "Just give me everything you've got!" but they only had a poster. [laughs]
But a lot of online research and speaking to my friends that are into comics. I was fortunate enough to have a FaceTime meeting with all the other actors that I interact with on the show before I actually got onto my first day. They filled me in, and Caroline was so helpful. My wall in my hotel room became like a chalkboard of Kate stuff. Yeah, I was just living it!
I guess you could say your hotel room kind of became your Batcave.
It did! Yes! You're right! It actually did become my Batcave. It was just like a drawing board. I don't know how happy the hotel was about it, but listen, I had to do what I had to do.
What, to you, is the essence of Kate Kane? In other words, what did you know you had to bring to your version of the character in order for her to feel consistent with the Kate we met in Season 1?
About everything! Justice is what I will probably link to Kate. She is so much about fairness, but also about being so authentically herself. That's why I love her, because she does have this edgy grit about her and she's not afraid to be who she is, and that stood out for me as well. But I think, more than anything, it was the way that she just wants to look out for the people she loves and make the world better in such a dark place like Gotham.
Without giving too much away, what should Kate's fans expect from your debut episode?
From the debut episode... oh my goodness, that seems like so long ago! Unfortunately, they're gonna see Kate in a very vulnerable position, and they're gonna see Kate fighting for who she is. But she is overpowered by Enigma and Black Mask and that's going to take us down a very -- I think it's actually going to be a very... I don't want to say painful, but I think it's gonna be hard to watch for the Kate Kane lovers, in the sense where obviously Kate goes through some trauma. Let's just put it that way!
How do you think Kate and Nyssa-Vex, your character on Krypton, would get along?
I love Nyssa! I think both of their hearts are actually in the same place. I think family is the most important thing to both of them. I think, even though there might be a bit of friction or contention at the start, I actually think that they could be best friends.
Maybe we'll see that someday! You never know with the Arrowverse.
Oh my god, that would be awesome! I mean, they would make a killer duo, wouldn't they?
Batwoman stars Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder, Rachel Skarsten as Alice, Meagan Tandy as Sophie Moore, Camrus Johnson as Luke Fox, Dougray Scott as Jacob Kane, Nicole Kang as Mary Hamilton-Kane and Wallis Day as Kate Kane. Season 2 returns on Sunday, May 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.