July 9, 2020
'Batwoman' Finds Ruby Rose Replacement with Javicia Leslie
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Introducing your new Batwoman!
Not long after Ruby Rose surprisingly announced that she was leaving "Batwoman," where she starred as the titular superhero, producers for the show announced who will be taking on the role. Entertainment Weekly is reporting actor Javicia Leslie will pick up the cape and lead the popular CW 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 in a statement.
The new casting comes after Rose suddenly quit the show ahead of its second season. Producers said they won't forget about Rose's character, Kate Kane, but introduce Leslie's character, who will become a new Batwoman.
"As a lesbian who's been working as a writer for the past fifteen years, I'm well aware of the 'Bury Your Gays' trope and I have no interest in participating in it," Caroline Dries, the showrunner for "Batwoman," said in a statement. "That's why it's important to me as the showrunner to clarify any misinformation out there about Kate Kane and recasting Batwoman. Like you, I love Kate Kane – she's the reason I wanted to do the show. We'll never erase her. In fact, her disappearance will be one of the mysteries of season two.
"I don't want to give away any of our surprises, but to all our devoted fans, please know that LGBTQ+ justice is at the very core of what Batwoman is and we have no intention of abandoning that," she added.
Leslie's credits include "God Friended Me," "The Family Business," "MacGyver" and the film "Always a Bridesmaid.
She also reacted to the news of the casting on Instagram, writing, "For all of the little Black girls dreaming to be a superhero one day... it's possible!"
