The DC Universe has a long and varied history on television, with shows like Smallville, Arrow, Lois & Clark, and Penguin being well-known examples. But there’s one DC series from 23 years ago that many have forgotten, and it recently made a surprising and welcome comeback.
The CW’s Birds of Prey, a series focusing on Huntress, Oracle, and Black Canary protecting Gotham City while Batman was away, ended after only 13 episodes on February 19, 2003. However, the show got a second chance in 2019 as part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event within the Arrowverse. Although the show’s original universe was erased by the Anti-Monitor, the original actress who played Huntress returned to reprise her role in a major DC event.
Why Was Birds of Prey Cancelled?
The movie Birds of Prey used the basic team idea from the comic books, but it changed how the characters came together and who they were. In this version, Huntress, played by Ashley Scott, was named Helena Kyle and was the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. She inherited metahuman abilities from her mother and had a close relationship with her, unaware that Batman was her father until her mother was killed by a mercenary working for The Joker.
Dina Meyer played Oracle, and the show revealed her past as Batgirl, showing how she was paralyzed by the Joker. This leads us to Black Canary, portrayed by Rachel Skarsten. Dinah experiences visions of the painful events that impacted both Oracle and Huntress. After finding them and earning their trust, she becomes a permanent member of the team.
The series clearly draws inspiration from the original comics, but with a lot of fresh updates. The idea of Huntress being the child of Batman and Catwoman is a strong starting point, and the mystery of why Batman left Gotham offered a lot of potential. A captivating villain, Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel), also added to the story’s appeal.
The show got off to a strong start, attracting 7.6 million viewers and particularly resonating with the key 18-34 age group. However, viewership quickly dropped, and after just 13 episodes, the show was cancelled.
The last episode, “Devil’s Eyes,” hinted at potential future storylines or even a second season. The final scene showed Alfred speaking with Bruce Wayne about Helena, but this plotline was never explored. Later, the show was incorporated into the larger “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event, connecting it to the Arrowverse universe.
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2026-02-20 06:42