Since Gotham City is a crime-ridden cesspool, its citizens must do their best to always stay on top of the news. That’s why the producers of Batwoman have enlisted a reliable voice to keep them informed. Via The Hollywood Reporter, political commentator Rachel Maddow will fill the role of Vesper Fairchild on the upcoming series.
Vesper made her first appearance in Batman #540 in 1997. She was a radio and television personality who eventually dated and fell in love with Bruce Wayne. The character was later the subject of a compelling whodunit when she was found dead in Wayne Manor.
Maddow has hosted The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC since 2008. She’s currently making the rounds promoting her second book, Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth. The book hit stores earlier this week.
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Maddow has technically never “acted” before outside of playing fictionalized versions of herself in films and TV shows like House of Cards, 30 Rock, and The Ides of March. However, THR points out that Maddow’s character will never actually show up onscreen. This most likely means that we’ll hear her disembodied voice reporting on Gotham happenings. Maddow may lack acting experience, but she more than makes up for it in Batwoman fandom. She previously wrote an introduction for a deluxe hardcover edition of Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III’s Batwoman: Elegy graphic novel.
Batwoman showrunner Carline Dries issued a statement to share her excitement about Maddow’s casting. Additionally, she teased what viewers can expect from her character’s news segments.
“We consider Vesper Fairchild to be the sardonic Voice of Gotham,” said Dries. “In addition to Rachel’s interest in Batwoman, we thought she’d be the perfect casting choice because her own hard-hitting journalism wildly contrasts Vesper’s penchant for snark, gossip and criticism of female superheroes.”
What do you think of Rachel Maddow providing Vesper Fairchild’s voice on Batwoman? Would you like to see her receive an expanded role on the show in the future? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Batwoman: Elegy New Edition
