Javicia Leslie Becomes First Black Actress To Play ‘Batwoman’ On TV
There’s a new series lead for The CW’s Batwoman: Javicia Leslie. The actress is slated to step into the cape and cowl for the series upcoming second season, as Variety reports.
“I am extremely proud to be the first Black actress to play the iconic role of Batwoman on television, and as a bisexual woman, I am honored to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community,” Leslie said.
Ryan Wilder is a new character that Leslie will portray. The character is described as “likable, messy, a little goofy, and untamed.”
However, she’s nothing like Kate Kane (previously portrayed by Ruby Rose), the woman who played Batwoman before her.
Ryan spent years running drugs, dodging the GCPD, and becoming numb to her pain with problematic habits, with no family.
Now, the highly skilled and wildly undisciplined fighter lives in her van alongside her plant. She’s also an athletic lesbian who is living her life out loud and is fallible.
Leslie is slated to take over the leading role from Rose, who surprised her fans when she announced her departure from the series back in May.
Rose recently took to Instagram to praise The CW for casting Leslie. “This is amazing!! I am so glad Batwoman will be played by an amazing Black woman. I want to congratulate Javicia Leslie on taking over the bat cape. You are walking into an amazing cast and crew. I can’t wait to watch season 2 you are going to be amazing!!” she wrote.
