Ruby Rose quits Twitter following backlash over becoming first gay superhero to lead series

Rose is set to play Batwoman AKA Kate Kane, as reintroduced by DC Comics in 2006 as a gay woman of Jewish descent

(AFP/Getty Images)

Actor Ruby Rose has deleted her Twitter account and disabled public comments on her Instagram after her casting as CW's new Batwoman received a backlash from fans.

Rose's casting marks the first LGBTQ superhero to lead a live-action series, with a Batwoman series due to premiere on the network in 2019, focusing on Kate Kane: first created by DC Comics in the 1950s as a love interest for Batman, before being reintroduced in 2006 as a gay woman of Jewish descent.

The criticism levied against Rose partially targeted the casting of a non-Jewish actor in the role; however it seems Rose's Twitter deletion may have particularly been motivated by accusations she shouldn't play a lesbian character - despite the actor having been out since the age of 12.

"Where on earth did 'Ruby is not a lesbian therefore she can't be Batwoman' come from -- has to be the funniest most ridiculous thing I've ever read," Rose wrote in her last post on Twitter. "I came out at 12? And have for the past 5 years had to deal with 'she's too gay' how do y'all flip it like that? I didn't change. I wish we would all support each other and our journeys."

"When women and when minorities join forces we are unstoppable... when we tear each other down it's much more hurtful than from any group. But hey/ love a challenge I just wish women and the LGBT community supported each other more, My wish was we were all a little kinder and more supportive of each other...Sending everyone my love and gratitude, it's been a rollercoaster of a year, this month especially."

"I am looking forward to getting more than 4 hours of sleep and to break from Twitter to focus all my energy on my next 2 projects. If you need me, I'll be on my Bat Phone."

Rose is the latest of several female stars who have deleted their social media following harassment from fans; preceded by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown and Star Wars actors Kelly Marie Tran and Daisy Ridley.

"The Bat is out of the bag and I am beyond thrilled and honored," Rose wrote on Instagram after news broke she'd been cast. "I’m also an emotional wreck. Because this is a childhood dream. This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on tv and felt alone and different. Thank you everyone. Thank you god."

Rose's Batwoman will be introduced to US audiences on The CW network in a December crossover episode featuring its other DC Comics properties, including The Flash, Arrow, and Supergirl.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.