Meet The New Batwoman: Javicia Leslie On Taking Over For Ruby Rose

Taking on the lead role in any series draws scrutiny under the mellowest of circumstances. Replacing one of the first female superhero leads on broadcast, after her highly publicized departure in the midst of a global pandemic, when you are a Black queer woman brings a whole new level of scrutiny.

And Javicia Leslie is navigating it all quite well, thank you. Leslie plays Ryan Wilder, who takes over the Batwoman mantle during the first episodes of season two, which premieres on Jan. 17.

As anyone with an internet presence knows, Ruby Rose left the CW’s Batwoman last spring after one season in the title role of Katy Kane, a move that lit up Arrowverse messageboards for weeks. Rather than recasting Kane, showrunner Caroline Dries and her team, including executive producer Greg Berlanti, decided to bring in a new Batwoman instead.

Like Kane, Wilder’s a lesbian and a fierce fighter. But in most ways, the new character couldn’t be more different than her superhero predecessor. “She’s messy. She has no one in her life keeping her on track. She’s been at the bottom of the totem pole doing what she can to survive,” Leslie says.

Leslie, who is bisexual, appreciates the context of her transition to Batwoman. It’s the first time a woman of color has played the role, and she’s thrilled with the inroads the program has made for LGBTQ+ representation on television.

“One human being deserves the same amount of respect as the next. The show is just allowing these characters to exist as they are. We talk about Ryan’s partners in the same way a straight character would talk about their partners. It’s just not a big thing,” says Leslie.

The former God Friended Me and Always a Bridesmaid co-star also wants to talk about what’s led to this point and why a single role isn’t nearly enough representation.

“It’s a beautiful honor to play this part, but the lack of previous representation is something that we should shine a light on. An aggressive change needs to happen, and my mentality is not to wait for someone to give me something,” says Leslie. “There are a lot of amazing Black writers and directors and producers, and they’re not waiting for anyone to give them an opportunity, either. We’re aggressively taking our place and taking our space. So as much as it is an honor, we’re flashing a light on something that needs to be handled.

“And I’m happy to be a part of that story and conversation.”

Leslie has offered input on her character’s motivations and actions from her perspective as a Black, queer woman, such as the backstory on Ryan’s relationship with her plant, which resides with her in a van.

“Ryan is a character that’s being created as we go, so I can come to the table and say, ‘hey, I’ve been meditating on this idea.’ Sometimes Caroline will say, ‘Oh, I love that,’ and we’ll collaborate,” Leslie says.