She is the first ever black woman to play the role on either the television or the big screen.
Javicia Leslie has just been announced as the new starring actress in The CW TV show Batwoman. She will play character Ryan Wilder, alias Batwoman, who will be taking over from Kate Kane, the previous Batwoman. Ryan is described as “likeable, messy, a little goofy and untamed”.
Her debut as Batwoman will see Leslie become the first black actress to portray the character in a live action TV show or in a film. In a statement, the actress said:
“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 honoured to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.”
This recasting came after the original starring actress, Ruby Rose, quit the role in May. The actress said that she had made the difficult decision to leave the show:
“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season. This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angelas.”
The network The CW, Warner Bros Television and Berlanti Productions said that they were committed to Batwoman and that they would re-cast the role with another member of the LGBTQ+ community. They also said that the new Batwoman would be nothing like Kate Kane. Ryan Wilder is supposedly a former drug runner who now lives in a van, so “not your stereotypical all-American hero”.
Ruby Rose congratulated Javicia Leslie on the role after it was announced.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCZebKqp9pD/
“OMG!! 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!!”
Javicia Leslie, who starred in the BET drama The Family Business and the 2019 movie Always a Bridesmaid, will make her debut on the superhero series in January 2021. Batwoman is aired on E4.
