Batwoman: Javicia Leslie replaces Ruby Rose as series lead

The new Batwoman is here! Javicia Leslie will replace Ruby Rose as The CW series lead, taking on the role of Ryan Wilder.

Arrowverse fans have been patiently — and some not so patiently — awaiting news about Batwoman following the departure of series lead Ruby Rose, along with the announcement that Rose’s character, Kate Kane, would no longer be the central focus of the show. And yesterday, fans finally found out who their new Batwoman will be: God Friended Me actress Javicia Leslie.

That’s right, Leslie will don the Batsuit in the show’s upcoming second season, which won’t arrive until 2021 due to COVID-19-related production delays. Her character, Ryan Wilder, is described as “nothing like Kate Kane,” leaving fans to wonder how this new hero will fit into the world of Gotham. Leslie is also the first Black actress to play Batwoman, and she’s the first Black woman to play the lead hero in an Arrowverse series.

“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, as per a report from Variety.

And the cast of the series quickly came online to welcome Leslie to the show, with Camrus Johnson and Nicole Kang both posting their excitement about the casting to Twitter. Showrunner Caroline Dries also welcomed Leslie to the Batfam.

And the support didn’t stop at current cast and crew members. Our former Batwoman also took to Instagram to post a welcoming message, with Rose 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 !!”

Fans have spent the last few weeks concerned that Kate Kane’s exit would derail the storylines Batwoman‘s first season set up, but it seems Leslie’s casting has sparked a bit of hope in the fandom. We’ll have to wait until season two to find out if the series manages to pull off the shift — but it’s refreshing to see so much excitement following the recent backlash.

What do you think of our new Batwoman? Has it reinvigorated your excitement about the series? Sound off in the comments below!