Javicia Leslie has said she is “extremely proud” to be the first Black actor to play Batwoman on TV, after it was announced she will take over from Ruby Rose as the superhero.
Javicia was cast in the role after Ruby announced in May she was making the “very difficult decision” to step down from the Batwoman TV series after just one season.
In a statement, Javica said of her casting: “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 honoured to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community.”
In a post on Instagram, she added: “For all of the little black girls dreaming to be a superhero one day... it’s possible!”
Javica is best known for starring in two seasons of TV comedy God Friended Me.
In Batwoman, she will not take over as Ruby’s character Kate Kane.
Instead, she will portray a new character named Ryan Wilder, who becomes the superhero.
Ruby congratulated Javicia on the role, writing on Instagram: “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!”
Following Ruby’s departure, network The CW, Warner Bros Television and Berlanti Productions said they were “firmly committed” to Batwoman, confirming they would re-cast the role with another member of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement announcing she would not return to the show, Ruby said: “This was not a decision I made lightly as I have the utmost respect for the cast, crew and everyone involved with the show in both Vancouver and in Los Angeles.”
Batwoman airs on E4 in the UK, with series two due to debut in 2021.