Rose, 40, is among 15 celebrities taking part in the Fox reality competition, which puts contestants through demanding challenges based on the selection process used by the U.S. Special Forces. The fifth season was filmed in the Malaysian jungle.
The actress told PEOPLE that she had several reasons for wanting to participate in Special Forces, but said appearing on the show should not be interpreted as a sign that she is returning to the entertainment industry.
"I don't even know if I'm really back," Rose said. She explained that she has never been particularly interested in pursuing a career in entertainment, despite building a successful career in television and film.
"Now I think I'm old enough to know that it's not, probably, for me," she said. "And they don't want me either."
Rose first gained attention as a presenter on MTV Australia before making her breakthrough in the United States with a role on Orange Is the New Black in 2015. She later landed major roles in productions including John Wick: Chapter 2 and Batwoman.
However, Rose said opportunities in Hollywood have become increasingly limited. She revealed that she has received only one meaningful script offer in the past three years, adding that she is comfortable with the situation.
Her experience on Special Forces did briefly make her reconsider whether she wanted to return to the entertainment industry. Rose said she felt "so healed" by the experience that she initially wondered if she might want to stay in the United States rather than return to Australia.
"I was like, 'Oh, maybe I don't want to go back to Australia right now,'" she recalled. "But then I had time to think about it, and I'm like, 'Maybe I do.'"
Before joining Special Forces, Rose's most recent acting credit was the 2024 film Dirty Angels. Her last major television role was on Batwoman, where she portrayed Kate Kane during the show's first season.
In May 2020, Rose announced that she would not return for the second season, describing the decision as difficult and expressing gratitude toward the cast and crew.
Wallis Day later took over the role of Kate Kane for season two.
Rose's appearance on Special Forces marks a return to television, but for now, she appears content to keep her relationship with Hollywood at a distance.
