Batwoman - Season 2: Javicia Leslie To Play Ryan Wilder

Back in May, it was announced that after one season, Ruby Rose would depart the series as Kate Kane/Batwoman. It was initially assumed that the second season of Batwoman would see a recast of the title character, but the CW had other ideas.

Instead of a new actress to play Kate Kane, the CW thought it would be a better idea to have a new character assume the mantle of Batwoman. The character in question would be called Ryan Wilder, also an out lesbian and former drug runner (according to a character description released last month) who would be inspired by Kate Kane to become Gotham's latest protector, following the disappearance of the former in the show's upcoming second season.

Last night, it was revealed by the CW that Javicia Leslie, whose credits include the recently axed God Friended Me has been cast as Ryan Wilder/Batwoman. The actress whose character has also been described as "likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed" will be the second live action iteration of the character and for those wondering if Leslie is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she had this to say herself on the matter ....

"And as a bisexual woman, I am honoured to join this groundbreaking show which has been such a trailblazer for the LGBTQ+ community."

Already current cast members of the series (and from other Arrowverse shows), including Camrus Johnson and Meagan Tandy have congratulated Javicia on joining the show as did former Batwoman herself, Ruby Rose (which I thought was a rather classy gesture).

I've not seen Javicia in anything prior, but I'm intrigued by her casting and while I do think it would've made more sense for the series to have simply recast Kate Kane instead of creating a new character in Ryan Wilder, I am intrigued to see how the upcoming second year will readjust certain stories that were clearly meant for Kate, how Ryan herself will interact with the remaining cast members and how the crossover with the upcoming series, Superman & Lois also pans out. If the show can succeed with this new Batwoman, then it will be unstoppable going forward.

Press Release: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53346036

Batwoman's second season will begin filming later in the year and will air from January 2021 onwards on the CW. E4 are currently airing the remaining episodes of the show's first season.