A caped crusader in scrubs? A few months ago, this would have sounded unbelievable. However, after Netflix‘s latest medical drama, Pulse, which dropped on April 3, 2025, things have changed. While the adrenaline-fueled series delivers enough and more nail-biting tension on the medical front, it also reveals that Colin Woodell would be the perfect Batman for the new DCU.

Created by Zoe Robyn (The Equalizer) and Carlton Cuse (Lost), Pulse is set in the high-pressure world of Maguire Hospital, a level-one trauma center in the heat of Miami. The narrative is equal parts chaos, compassion, and cutthroat intensity. However, even amidst everything else going on, one of the strongest pulls of the series is Woodell’s performance as Xander Phillips, a brilliant but emotionally scarred surgical resident with a mysterious past and a brooding sense of justice. As the DCU gears up for a fresh reboot, James Gunn and Peter Safran are still hunting for their perfect Bruce Wayne, and after his performance in Pulse, Colin Woodell seems the ideal candidate.

Colin Woodell Has Perfected the Brooding Hero Energy in ‘Pulse’

From the first episode of Pulse, Colin Woodell radiates a deep, tightly wound intensity that makes it nearly impossible to look away. As Dr. Xander Phillips, Woodell is constantly walking a tightrope between calm precision and unrelenting inner turmoil, a trait every great Batman needs to master. A constant shadow appears to hang over the character, and a sense of unresolved trauma seems to drive him to work harder, push boundaries, and occasionally break the rules.

Making Woodell’s portrayal of Phillips all the more compelling is the actor’s ability to channel pain without ever needing to explicitly spell it out. His quiet, observational scenes are some of the most powerful moments in the series. The controlled intensity that Woodell exhibits, which is similar to what Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson both tapped into, makes him a prime candidate for Gotham’s next vigilante.

Over the years, many actors have attempted to balance Bruce Wayne’s tortured duality: a charming billionaire by day and a vengeful protector by night. Woodell balances a similar dynamic in Pulse, shifting from precise surgeon to rule-breaking rebel within seconds and often throwing himself into danger to protect others. This characteristic, coupled with Woodell’s low, calculated voice, makes it easy to imagine him brooding over Gotham from a rooftop in the rain, decked out in cowl and cape.

Colin Woodell Understands the Power of Stillness in ‘Pulse’

Batman is not simply about punches and high-tech gadgets. Some of his most iconic moments come when Batman is simply still, watching and waiting. In Pulse, Colin Woodell shows he has mastered the art with chilling precision. A scene in the series depicts Xander being forced to operate on a patient involved in a shooting. As chaos unfolds around him, the camera lingers on Woodell’s face. He neither moves nor speaks. Yet, the emotion and storm raging in him is palpable.

Presence and command have been defining features of great Batmen. The ability to walk into a room and make people pause, whether out of fear, awe, or a mix of both, has long been viewed as an imperative quality of Batman. Colin Woodell can bring that presence to Pulse in spades. Even in silence, Woodell can exude tension, and viewers know something important is about to happen each time he is on-screen.

Where many struggle to convey microexpressions, such as subtle shifts in eyes and barely-there jaw clenches, Woodell thrives. This ability becomes crucial for anyone looking to play Bruce Wayne, a character who often hides behind masks, both literal and emotional. Audiences do not need yet another pomp-filled version of Batman. A welcome refresher would be a Batman who can do more with less — the way Woodell does in Pulse. Woodell’s stillness speaks volumes; that is exactly the kind of presence the DCU needs.

Colin Woodell Masters Emotional Complexity Without Losing Edge in ‘Pulse’

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While Batman may have started as a symbol of vengeance, modern audiences now demand more than a growling crusader in Kevlar. Viewers demand nuance and vulnerability, needing to see the real person behind the mask. Colin Woodell is able to do exactly this as Xander Phillips, offering a masterclass in emotional complexity without compromising strength.

Throughout Pulse, Xander grapples with survivors’ guilt, abandonment, professional betrayal, and deep-rooted trust issues. His approach to trauma is not to power through it but to let it shape him. Yet crucially, he never lets it define him, making his character eerily similar to Bruce Wayne. Even in sharing his trauma, Woodell does not overplay it. He is able to walk the fine line between holding back and letting go just enough to make the emotion seem real. In doing so, Woodell can make his vulnerability all the more devastating, fulfilling the criteria of a modern Batman.

In addition to his skill in portraying emotional complexity, Woodell’s physicality makes him a perfect candidate for the DCU’s new Batman. While Pulse is not packed with combat scenes, Woodell moves with a sleek, calculated grace, suggesting he could handle Batman’s fight choreography effortlessly. Replace Woodell’s hospital scrubs with a bit of combat training and a Batsuit, and audiences have a Dark Knight who can truly feel just as much as he can fight.

With studios constantly wanting big names, big muscles, and big box office numbers, it becomes easy to get cynical about superhero castings. However, now and then, viewers are given a performance that comes along quietly but is able to scream excellence. This is what Colin Woodell’s performance in Pulse amounts to. While he is not the most obvious choice, Woodell’s depth, control, and simmering intensity in Pulse make him the perfect candidate for Batman in the new DCU. Pulse is now available to stream on Netflix.