Geek TV News Roundup

The latest geek TV news roundup has big reveals for major franchises and the unfortunate loss of a beloved character actor.

We have a first look at Ruby Rose’s Batwoman, who will be making her small screen debut on The CW’s Elseworlds crossover this December. The crossover, which involves Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl, begins airing December 9. The image hits all the right beats, from the flaming red wig to the scarlet bat insignia. Rose was selected for the role in August (see “ CW Finds Its Batwoman ”), and if the character proves popular, she may see her own spinoff series (see “ 'Batwoman' in Development for The CW ”).

Season 9 of The Walking Dead is off to a rocky start, with the first episode netting the lowest ratings since the show began. The season debut drew only 6.1 million live and same day viewers and a 2.5 Nielson rating for adults 18-49 according to Variety. In comparison, the very first episode had a 2.7 rating, but only 5.4 million viewers, and the season 8 premiere drew 11.4 million viewers and a 5.0 rating. Despite the weak start, The Walking Dead remains the top-rated cable show on Sunday night, and the premiere also drove sign-ups for AMC Premiere, the network’s commercial-free upgrade, to a new single-day high. How the continued ratings slip will impact the series remains to be seen, especially since AMC has plans to continue investing in the franchise (see “AMC's 'The Walking Dead' Plans”).

Speaking of The Walking Dead, Scott Wilson, who played fan favorite Hershel Greene, passed away on October 6 after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old (via Variety ). The character actor had more than 50 years of credits on his resume, including In the Heat of the Night, The Ninth Configuration, The Right Stuff, The Last Samurai, Monster, Judge Dredd, G.I. Jane, and much more. Wilson was set to reprise the role of Hershel in season 9 of The Walking Dead, and he completed filming before his passing.

The Dresden Files may be returning to the small screen. Fox21 Television Studios has optioned the rights to the bestselling novel series by Jim Butcher reports Deadline . The books center on Harry Dresden, a wizard and private investigator who tackles supernatural disturbances in modern-day Chicago. The series was previously adapted for a one-season show on Syfy (before it was Syfy), starring Paul Blackthorne (Arrow). Dynamite currently has the graphic novel license for the property (see “ Preview: 'Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Dog Men' HC ”), and it has inspired both role playing games (see “ 'Dresden Files RPG: The Paranet Papers' ”) and cooperative card games (see " Review: 'The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game' (Card Game) ") from Evil Hat Productions.

Another supernatural mystery series has been optioned for TV, this one from Scount Comics. Long Lost, a series by writer Matthew Erman and artist Lisa Sterle about two estranged sisters who return to their hometown to unlock the mysteries of the place, is in development with writer/producer Jenny Klein, who has also worked on Marvel’s Jessica Jones, Cloak & Dagger, and The Witcher. Details on production and casting are to be announced.

Two animated specials have been added to the Marvel Rising franchise: Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts and Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron. Chasing Ghosts is a 22-minute special that has Ghost-Spider teaming up with the Secret Warriors to take down villains Sheath and Exile. Heart of Iron is a 44-minute special introducing Riri Williams to the Marvel Rising universe, with Riri assuming the mantle of Ironheart to save her best friend and defeat Hala the Accuser. Distribution and release date info for both are pending. Marvel Rising was announced last year (see “ Marvel to Launch New IP with Animation ”), possibly as a response to the incredibly popular DC Super Hero Girls franchise, and the line includes animation and comics (see “ 'Marvel Rising' #1 Debuts in June ”), with merchandise set to launch this month (see “ 'Marvel Rising' Launches Merchandise Line ”).