The CW's new Batwoman has officially arrived.
In two photos from the show's sophomore season, Javicia Leslie steps into the cowl as Ryan Wilder, who will take up the mantle following Kate Kane's disappearance. The photos offer the first official look at the new costume, which features a cowl with natural, curly hair, red gauntlets over the forearms and shorter boots. The suit, made of new materials to enhance visual depth and provide a stronger silhouette, also boasts an ombre cape and a wig with red streaks.
According to an official release by the network, Wilder "initially dons Kate Kane's suit at the beginning of Season 2." However, "as Ryan grows into her newfound role as Batwoman, she redesigns the suit." The suit -- as photographed below by Nino Muñoz -- will debut in Episode 3, "sending a message to Gotham that a New Hero has arrived."
Leslie's Batsuit was conceptualized by Batwoman costume designer Maya Mani, who has worked on other such Arrowverse series as Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow and The Flash. Ocean Drive Leather produced the suit, while Janice Workman created the wig. Cory Roberts styled Leslie's makeup.
"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," executive producer Caroline Dries said in a statement. "As Ryan embraces everything that makes her special, she adjusts the suit to fit her physically and figuratively. This meant creating a new body design and new cowl that was undeniably a statement that screamed 'powerful.'"
"Maya Mani sent me her drawings and I loved it. The wig was something we never perfected in season one, and Janice Workman crushed it with this new take," she added. "Javicia and I saw various prototypes of styles and red ombres, and at one point we were trading our own iPad-doodled versions. Janice translated that into what we are looking at now. When I see it, I smile. It makes me feel inspired."
"I love the fact that Ryan is becoming her own Batwoman -- it's her style, her swag, and her moment!" Leslie shared. "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!"
"I was asked by Caroline Dries to design a Batsuit that was unique to the character of Ryan Wilder; as she is a highly skilled fighter, encapsulating her raw, athletic, and passionate nature was imperative," Mani explained. "As Batwoman, Javicia Leslie not only brings a fresh perspective, but physical strength to the role. It was important for the new suit to define Javicia's commanding presence while showcasing her athleticism and allowing her the freedom to express the physical nature of Batwoman, all while looking ultra-cool in the process!"
Returning to The CW in January 2021, Batwoman stars Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Dougray Scott and Nicole Kang.