The CW finds its new Batwoman: Javicia Leslie

Deadline

The former God Friended Me star succeeds Ruby Rose in the title role when The CW series returns for Season 2 in January, but she'll play the new character Ryan Wilder, who is about to become Batwoman. Ryan Wilder is nothing like Rose's Kate Kane. “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 in a statement. Batwoman executive producer Greg Berlanti and Warner Bros. TV didn't have to look far in finding a new Batwoman. Leslie is coming off of two seasons on CBS' God Friended Me, which is also from Berlanti and Warner Bros. TV. The CW describes Leslie's new character as "likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed. She’s also nothing like Kate Kane, 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. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical All-American hero." Ruby Rose responded to Leslie's casting on Instagram, writing: "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 2 you are going to be amazing !!"