God Friended Me actress Javicia Leslie has been announced as The CW’s new Batwoman.
Javicia will be taking over the lead role from Ruby Rose, who stepped down from the show after one season back in May. Rather than taking over from Ruby’s Katy Kane, Javicia will be playing a new character called Ryan Wilder.
According to Deadline, Ryan is described as “likeable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. A girl who would steal milk for an alley cat and could also kill you with her bare hands, Ryan is the most dangerous type of fighter: highly skilled and wildly undisciplined. She is an out lesbian, athletic, raw, passionate, fallible, and very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.”
Javicia will be the first black actress to portray Batwoman in a live action TV show or film. Speaking about the exciting news, the actress said in a statement: “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.”
Ruby also took to Instagram to congratulate her successor, stating: “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!!”
The second season of Batwoman is expected to debut in 2021.