Ruby Rose is officially passing the torch to Batwoman’s new star, Javicia Leslie. On Wednesday, the CW superhero series announced that the God Friended Me alum would be taking over the lead role after Rose exited at the end of season 1.
Javicia Leslie is ecstatic to be cast in the role, which is quite special for her. “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.” the 33 year old actress said.
Leslie shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday, writing in the caption of the post, “For all of the little black girls dreaming to be a superhero one day. It’s possible!” Leslie will make her debut as the superhero in January 2021, when the series is set to return to The CW for season 2.
Ryan Wilder’s official character description
Leslie will portray a new character on the show named Ryan Wilder who is the complete opposite of Rose’s Kate Kane. Her official character description says, “Ryan Wilder is about to become Batwoman. She’s likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She’s also nothing like Kate Kane, the woman who wore the Batsuit before her. With no one in her life to keep her on track, Ryan spent years as a drug-runner, dodging the GCPD and masking her pain with bad habits. Today Ryan lives in her van with her plant. 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. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.”
Prior to joining Batwoman, Leslie starred on the CBS series God Friended Me, which went on for 2 seasons. That show was also produced by Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Productions. She also starred in the BET series The Family Business and the film Always a Bridesmaid.
Ruby Rose’s reaction
Ruby Rose shared her excitement for Leslie on Instagram. “OMG!! This is amazing!!” Rose wrote. “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!!”
“Kate Kane is the reason I wanted to do the show”
Although Ryan is becoming the new Batwoman, show runner Caroline Dries has promised that the series won’t forget about Kate Kane. Caroline made sure to clarify that this particular alter ego was not being recast, and is a new character. “As a lesbian who’s been working as a writer for the past fifteen years, I’m well aware of the “Bury Your Gays” trope and I have no interest in participating in it,’ she said. “Like you, I love Kate Kane. She’s the reason I wanted to do the show. We’ll never erase her. In fact, her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two.”
The CW show starred Ruby as a woman called Kate Kane who is the cousin of Batman’s alter ego Bruce Wayne and becomes Batwoman. The 34 year old actress announced in May that she would be stepping away from the show after 1 season.
“I have made the very difficult decision to not return to Batwoman next season,” Rose said in a statement. “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 Angeles.”
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