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New Batwoman has been cast for CW series: Meet Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder

Javicia Leslie has been cast as the new Batwoman for the CW series of the same name. As previously reported, Leslie won’t be playing Ruby Rose’s character of Kate Kane, but a new character named Ryan Wilder.

“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,” CW said of the character.

“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.”

Leslie has previously appeared on TV shows including God Friended Me and The Family Business.

“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 said of her casting in a statement.

It’s unclear how the re-casting and COVID-19 pandemic have impacted Batwoman‘s next season. We’ll report back as more is known. Rose’s departure from Batwoman was announced in late May.


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Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.