Javicia Leslie will join the Arrowverse next year, donning Batwoman's scarlet cape and cowl. Leslie recently discussed her audition for new character Ryan Wilder, who will take over the mantle of the Scarlet Knight from Kate Kane. Said audition took place over a Zoom video conference and Leslie said she connected to the character and her "quirky but 'I'm a boss if I have to be' type of mentality.'"
"I'm very active in my personal life," Leslie said when asked about the physicality of the role. "So being able to allow that to be my work, that's heaven for me. I do Muay Thai. I do fitness training. I run. Anything that's active I'm always down for, so this is going to be like playing on the playground every day."
Leslie also said that she is a lifelong Batman fan, looking up to Eartha Kitt and her portrayal of Catwoman on the 1966 Batman television series. Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries also threw her support behind the new star, saying, "Javicia blew everyone else away."
Ruby Rose played Kate Kane during Season 1 of Batwoman. However, she departed the role earlier this year. Leslie's character of Ryan Wilder is described as "likable, messy, a little goofy and untamed... highly skilled and wildly undisciplined. An out lesbian. Athletic. Raw. Passionate. Fallible. And very much not your stereotypical all-American hero."
Returning to The CW in January 2021, Batwoman stars Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Camrus Johnson, Dougray Scott and Nicole Kang. The series airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
(Via The Hollywood Reporter)