Now that she’s been infected by Poison Ivy, the selfless and caring Mary Hamilton (Nicole Kang) we’ve come to know and love is taking a backseat to a pernicious and virulent version of herself. No longer content with her supporting role on the Bat Team, Poison Ivy Mary uses her newfound powers to stand up, stand out, and express her most deeply buried opinions and desires — regardless of who or what may be in her way. But more awaits Mary as her destiny delivers her at the root of her new persona, as she realizes her power bloomed to give life to another…Gotham’s long lost and most infamous botanist.
Regarding bringing popular villain Poison Ivy to Batwoman, executive producer Caroline Dries said: “As we’ve watched the fallout of Batman’s Rogues’ weapons this season, we wanted to make a few of these ‘trophies’ personal to our Bat Team, and Mary felt like the ideal character to go through a major ‘photosynthesis.’ The fun part of making each villain’s powers transferable is that we get to do our own spin on the character — this one through the lens of what Mary would create: something heightened, playful, fashion-forward, and sexy. It was so exciting to work alongside Nicole as we picked hair color, eye color and, of course, the clothing itself. But it wasn’t until Nicole showed up on set and absolutely killed her performance that the character of Poison Ivy Mary was complete.”
Nicole Kang has played Mary Hamilton since Batwoman premiered on The CW in the fall of 2019. Of getting to play the iconic supervillain, Nicole says: “I’m so excited to bring you Poison Ivy. She’s here… finally! That’s a sentence I never thought I’d say. Wow. In our story, I am most proud that Poison Ivy is an Asian villain whose danger does not stem from her foreignness or her mystique. Instead, we discover her personal motivations alongside those of the OG Poison Ivy’s and see them intertwine in an organic and powerful way. I am so humbled to be a Korean girl in line behind THE Uma Thurman to play the next live-action Poison Ivy (what?!). Hopefully the future holds space for others like me and beyond to portray one hell of a character. For everything you’ve let me feel, scream, and become through you, Poison Ivy— thank you.”
Costume designer Maya Mani, makeup department head Cory Roberts and hair department head Ashley Young all agreed: “It was a collaboration all-around to help bring Caroline Dries’ vision for Poison Ivy Mary to life.” Mani said of the look: “I created this costume to reflect Mary’s desire to be seen and heard by those closest to her while maintaining her unique eye for fun and fanciful fashion; a strong shoulder and a corset to symbolize a trellis guiding her alter ego upwards.” Roberts shared: “I envisioned her character being intrinsically powerful, alluring, and seductive; it was the combination of beautiful glowy skin, with colors selected to enhance and celebrate Nicole’s complexion and structure.” Young added: “Nicole and I tried multiple wigs in different shades of red till we found the perfect one so that we didn’t lose ‘Mary’ in all the glamour but could reflect her and bring out her Poison Ivy alter ego.”
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