Meagan Tandy talks Batwoman and the relationship between Sophie and Kate

HR: That would be so cool! Can you tell us a little more about Sophie? We didn’t get to learn a whole lot about her in the premiere. 

MT: Right, so she is second-in-command [of the Crows], right underneath Jacob Kane, who is Kate Kane’s father. She did have this secret relationship with Kate, and we don’t get to understand why they had to split up and why their relationship ended so abruptly without any closure whatsoever.

People will hopefully tune in for the first season, and they’ll be able to explore that because there is significant backstory and a big reason why Sophie couldn’t continue with their relationship and why she is where she is today.

HR: I can’t wait to find out more about their relationship.

MT: I know, it’s kind of hard because in the first episode I’m captured, so people are like, “okay, who is she, what’s going on with this girl?” People will be able to understand Sophie more in the next couple of episodes.

HR: Did you see the big Alice twist coming when you read the script? 

MT: I remember reading the script, and I was so intrigued. Anything with Batman, Batwoman, Gotham, I love it so much. I couldn’t wait to turn the page each time. At the very end, when freaking Alice is her freaking sister, I was like, oh my gosh! I dropped my script, and my hands were in the air.

I remember thinking that the fans were going to absolutely love this. It made me even more excited to be part of the project. There’s so much more behind all of this. It’s not just another superhero story, there’s a true story and family drama behind it.

HR: Rachel Skarsten is super fun as Alice. Do you guys have more scenes together later on?

MT: I don’t know if I can answer that, but the scenes we have done are some of my favorites. She is such an incredible actress. Her portrayal of Alice, she’s got to be nice, then a villain, and she does a great job and has the most fantastic personality in real life. It made filming with her such a pleasure to do.

HR: How did you feel about the other big twist that Sophie is married? That was a shock to both viewers and Kate.

MT: I know! Poor Kate, she’s wanting to come back and save her ex-girlfriend but has no idea she’s off being married. I remember reading that and being in complete shock. I felt sorry for both of them. Their relationship back in military school was a very serious one. It wasn’t just a hook-up; they were in love. It was a real thing for both of them.

The fact it ended so abruptly, there was no closure, here they are seeing each other for the first time and not only is she getting kidnapped by Kate’s sister, now she’s married. It was just a lot of drama all at once and the biggest bombshell.

HR: What would you say has been your favorite part about working on Batwoman overall?

MT: There are so many things. I, of course, love doing the stunts and all the fight sequences but also just really jumping into this character and understanding Sophie and what motivates her and what stops her from continuing with Kate.

It has been such a privilege to portray someone part of the LGBTQIA+ community and to learn more about the struggles they experience. Not that I was never aware before, but it has been eye-opening and shocking for me. I hope so much that I give this role what everyone is expecting and needing.

HR: I think you guys got off to a great start. Did you have good feedback at NYCC this past weekend?

MT: Oh yeah, people were so excited. We’ve been nervous this whole time hoping people would love it, and so far it has been doing pretty good.

HR: I can’t wait to see the rest of the season!

MT: The next episode is really awesome, and I hope people watch that and will want to continue to keep watching every week. Its got way more meat in there. It’s so good.

HR: I hope the show does well for you guys, thank you so much for chatting with me Meagan.

MT: Thank you, you too!

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

New episodes of Batwoman air Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.