Javicia Leslie suits up to share a sneak peak of her history-making turn as the first Black Batwoman
Javicia Leslie attends American Black Film Festival Honors Awards Ceremony at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 23, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Leon Bennett/WireImage)
Fans have been treated to a first-look of Black bisexual actor Javicia Leslie as the iconic DC Comics superhero Batwoman in season two of the CW series of the same name.
In an Instagram photo posted Friday (25 September), the 33-year-old wrote: “Look out, Gotham, I’m suited up and ready to go.
“But just wait until Ryan Wilder puts her own spin on the Batsuit.”
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Javicia Leslie: ‘I’m proud to be the first Black actress to play the iconic role of Batwoman on television.’
Ryan Wilder is the superhero’s alter ego in the show – a messy, likeable and a little bit goofy girl who is undoubtedly untamed.
In an interview with Variety, Leslie 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 LGBT+ community.”
The trailblazing actor bagged the role after actor Ruby Rose left the series after just one season, handing the iconic bat cape over to Leslie.
Rose gushed over her successor on social media, saying: “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 two you are going to be amazing!”
Wilder will be an original character not from the original DC Comics, with show runners hoping that she will put a new spin on Batwoman. She’ll have a different personality than Kate Kane, the former Batwoman played by Rose, as well as mark the first time a Black woman has worn the suit.
Previously, Leslie has starred in the CBS series God Friended Me, the BET series The Family Business and the film Always a Bridesmaid.
