CW Reveals Images of Javicia Leslie as Batwoman

BY MACK VELTMAN

Javicia Leslie dons the cowl as Batwoman in the upcoming second season of the CW’s Batwoman, set to premier in January 2021. In a series of newly released images, the CW revealed the actress in her full get-up and showing off the Batsuit’s newest design.

Leslie is replacing Ruby Rose in the DC Comics-based series and plays a new character, Ryan Wilder. The showrunners revealed that Wilder will initially wear Kate Kane’s costume before she redesigns the suit — photographed by Nino Muñoz—which is set to appear in the third episode of the new season.

Leslie’s Batsuit was conceptualized by Batwoman costume designer Maya Mani, who’s worked on Arrowverse series: Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.

Executive producer Caroline Dries promises that Wilder is a much different Batwoman than Rose’s Kane. According to her character description, Wilder is a “dangerous type of fighter; highly skilled and widely undisciplined.” As an out lesbian, and a “raw and passionate individual”, Wilder is nothing like the stereotypical all-American hero.

Dries added, “Ryan’s journey starts from a place of ‘What can this Batsuit do for me?’ But it’s not long before she realizes the power of its symbol and what it can do for everyone else in Gotham City.”

Batwoman’s new actress was born in Germany and starred in the 2019 film, Always a Bridesmaid and two seasons of the TV show, God Friended Me. She also had appearances in The Family Business and Hello Cupid.

“I love the fact that Ryan is becoming her own Batwoman — it’s her style, her swag, and her moment!” Leslie said. “It was an honor to be able to collaborate with Caroline and Maya. I felt it was important that viewers could tell by the silhouette that Batwoman was a Black girl. With the form-fitting suit and beautiful Afro, we definitely nailed it!”

It will be exciting to see how Ryan Wilder fits into the Bat-verse and how the mantle will transition from Rose to Leslie.

Returning to The CW in January 2021, Batwoman stars Javicia Leslie, Ruby Rose, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Dougray Scott and Nicole Kang and is produced by Caroline Dries Greg Berlanti Sarah Schechter Geoff Johns David Nutter Marcos Siega.