Ruby Rose reacts to Javicia Leslie becoming the new Batwoman

Not long ago, fans of The CW’s DC superhero were shocked to hear that Ruby Rose, who had played the title character in the first season of Batwoman, would be stepping away from the role. Apparently she “wasn’t happy” on the show, and showrunner Caroline Dries set about to find someone to replace her.

Now, the search is over. According to Deadline, God Friended Me star Javicia Leslie will step into the cape and cowl.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Javicia Leslie attends the Always A Bridesmaid Los Angeles Premiere at Sunset 5 on September 23, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Tri Destined Studios)

“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.

As for Rose, she’s 100% on board with the decision:

"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 !! ❤️"

We don’t have all the details yet, but our best info is that Leslie will play a character named Ryan Wilder, who succeeds Rose’s character Kate Kane as Batwoman. So the show isn’t just going to start back up for season 2 with a new person in the role; the story will address what happens to Kate, and how Ryan ends up as Gotham’s new crimefighter in chief. Again, we don’t know everything, but it doesn’t sound like Kate is going to die, just that she’ll pass the torch somehow.

Congrats to Leslie, and to the fans, who can breathe a sigh of relief that the show will continue. As for when it’ll continue, that’s still up in the air.

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