Out Actress Javicia Leslie Is TV’s First Black Batwoman
Out Actress Javicia Leslie will become TV’s first black Batwoman, as she has been cast to play Ryan Wilder, a new “likeable, messy, a little goofy and untamed” character who will take over from Kate Kane, alias Batwoman, played by Ruby Rose.
Leslie's casting makes her the first black actress to portray the character in a live action TV show or film.
“I am extremely proud to be the first black actress to play the iconic role of Batwoman on television,” said the actress.
“And as a bisexual woman, I am honoured to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.”
Ruby Rose congratulated her successor on Instagram, writing: “That’s amazing!”
Fellow Batwoman actress Meagan Tandy said she had “watched your star rise over this past year”, adding: “YOU are our ancestors' wildest dream.”
As ‘BBC’ reports, initially producers announced that the role of Kate Kane would be recast. But then they put out a casting call for an entirely new character.
Showrunner Caroline Dries later explained that she made the decision out of respect for Rose. She also denied fan speculation that the show planned to “erase” Kate.
“[Kate's] disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two," said Dries.
“I don't want to give away any of our surprises, but to all our devoted fans, please know that LGBTQ+ justice is at the very core of what Batwoman is and we have no intention of abandoning that.”
Revealing Leslie's casting, producers said the new Batwoman would be “nothing like Kate Kane, the woman who wore the Batsuit before her” and “not your stereotypical all-American hero”. The character is a former drug runner who now lives in a van.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Ruby Rose Thanks Crew After Leaving ‘Batwoman’
Batwoman Becomes First Openly Lesbian Superhero
Ruby Rose’s Lesbian Batwoman to Get Her Own Show
First Look At Supergirl’s Trans Superhero
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews