Javicia Leslie Is The New Batwoman After Ruby Rose Exit

The Batwoman TV series has found its new lead: Javicia Leslie will don the cape and cowl as the legendary crimefighter for the show’s second season.

In a statement, 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 honored to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Leslie, 33, steps into the shoes of original star Ruby Rose announced her departure from the series in May. Rose took to Instagram to congratulate her replacement.

“This is amazing!! I am so glad Batwoman will be played by an amazing Black woman,” she wrote. “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!!”

Leslie — who previously starred in the dramedy series God Friended Me, which shared the same executive producer of Batwoman, Greg Berlanti — is playing a new character named Ryan Wilder.

Ryan is described as likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She’s also nothing like Kate Kane (previously played by Rose), 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. She is an out lesbian, athletic, raw, passionate, fallible, and very much not your stereotypical All-American hero.

Season 2 of Batwoman is slated to return in January.

Photos: TPG News/Click Photos