Ruby Rose shocked fans of The CW's Batwoman when she announced that she would not be returning as Kate Kane for Season Two of the series. Showrunner Caroline Dries responded by assuring fans the role would not be recast, but the show would continue its efforts in LGBT representation when it created a wholly unique character to step in and replace Kate. Now it has been announced that the role of Ryan Wilder, the new Batwoman, will be played by God Friended Me star Javicia Leslie, an out bisexual woman. Leslie is also the first Black woman to portray the Scarlet Knight in live-action.

The CW has not only upheld its commitment to hiring a member of the LGBT community to play this lesbian character, but it also furthered their overall representation by hiring an actress of color. It was the right choice because it allows the show to expand its themes and storylines to be more diverse and more capable of handling current events and the issues society is grappling with. Kate did not work much with the Gotham City Police Department, and instead was more often tangled up with her father's independent security force, The Crows. But now that Leslie has taken up the mantle, there is an opportunity for the show to address hot topics like the controversy around the police, the nature of over-policing, racial profiling and police brutality.

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While casting a Black actress as a character with a shady past involving drug-running is a potentially problematic start for the Arrowverse's first Black female lead, it creates the perfect opportunity to talk about systemic racism and the cycle of crime, poverty, and violence that is a major factor in the over-policing and disproportionate imprisonment of the Black population in America. Perhaps the show will lean hard into these difficult themes and use the opportunity to explore these very timely, incredibly important problems.

Batman's relationship with the police, especially "good cop" Jim Gordon is a staple of the Batman canon. Perhaps with Ryan Wilder as the new lead character, Batwoman will now be able to confront this legacy. It would not be the first time the show delved into the complicated nature of Batman and his relationships in Gotham. In Season 1 it was revealed that Batman broke his main rule and killed The Joker. Also, during the crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths" Kate comes face to face with an older version of Batman (played by Kevin Conroy) who has suffered greatly and become the worst version of himself. Batwoman has never been afraid of the shadow of Batman, and taking the show in a new direction with the new Batwoman is just another example of that bold stance.

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Diversifying the face behind the cowl is important for the future of Batwoman and the Arrowverse. By casting a woman of color to play Batwoman, the show now has the potential to discuss and explore a variety of new stories within Gotham. Kate was on the receiving end of her fair share of discrimination because of her sexuality, but she still benefited from her family name and her white skin. Bruce and Kate both grew up with extreme privilege despite the tragedies in their lives. And while their interest in helping those less fortunate and in understanding the difficulties the common, or underprivileged, citizens of Gotham face every day, they never experienced this for themselves.

Enter Ryan Wilder. Wilder represents those in Gotham whom Batman -- and Batwoman -- were created to protect. Ryan herself donning the cowl is an important development as it represents the strength of those who are often the faceless victims who are saved in these stories. As a result, Leslie's casting will help empower the characters so often shoved to the side and used as a token in the journey of superheroes. Batwoman has created an exciting opportunity to expand its world and its stories by casting Black, bisexual actress Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder.

Returning to The CW in Jan. 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.

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