Gotham has found their new Batwoman, and her name is Javicia Leslie. Leslie is also the first Black woman to play the caped crusader, an inspiring move for many young black girls according to the German-born actress on Instagram.
“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,” Leslie said in a statement.
Leslie’s Batwoman will centre on a character named Ryan Wilder. Unlike Kate Kane, the woman who wore the Batsuit before her, Wilder is likeable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. Ryan is the most dangerous type of fighter: highly skilled and wildly (cough) undisciplined. She is an out lesbian, athletic, raw, passionate, fallible, and very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.
Former Batwoman Ruby Rose took to Instagram to congratulate the 33-year-old actress, stating that she “can’t wait to watch season 2”.
Prior to Batwoman, Leslie starred on the CBS series God Friended Me, BET’s The Family Business and the film Always a Bridesmaid.
Leslie will take the screen as Batwoman when the show returns for its second season in January 2021.