The next year of the Arrowverse kicked off this past weekend with the return of Batwoman for its second season. In many ways, though, the show was starting from scratch, as it was introducing Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder as its new lead, following Ruby Rose exiting the series after just one year. There’d been a lot of discussion in the run-up to season 2 about whether bringing in a fresh protagonist and not just recasting Kate Kane was the best thing for the show. But now that Ryan’s debut is here, most fans seem to be loving her already.
There was much applause over The CW replacing Rose with a black actress, with Leslie noting how she’s proud to be the first ever person of color to play a leading member of the Bat-family on screen. Now that we’ve seen her in action, it’s clear that she was indeed the best actress to take over the mantle of the Crimson Knight and you can see below for just some of the reactions going around Twitter right now.
https://twitter.com/notevenloaded/status/1350979840535617540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Her big speech about why she deserves to be Batwoman was a hit with viewers.
https://twitter.com/adcswifts/status/1350978845650931714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“Sorry not sorry.”
RYAN IS AMAZING!! LOVE HER ALREADY!! WOW!! Javicia already has more #Batwoman comic book energy than Ruby ever had, sorry not sorry. 🤷😍👌💕 x pic.twitter.com/LlfeESj1No
— Siobhan 🇬🇬 (@slinehan1) January 18, 2021
Even those who aren’t a fan of the show as a whole are praising Leslie.
A few minutes into this "new" #Batwoman and I can honestly say I already really like this actress. Everything else is still a mess but she's already more fun to watch.
— Jess C is only here for MMA and Kpop.🖤 (@abrownreclusive) January 18, 2021
It’s going well so far, but let’s hope the quality continues.
I’m really loving Ryan Wilder so far. @JaviciaLeslie is doing such a great job!#Batwoman
— Spectra (@DeltaHeliolisk) January 18, 2021
And Leslie definitely suits in the suit.
omg @JaviciaLeslie looking SO GOOD in the suit 😍 #Batwoman
— Edin-Earper💛(Kristin) – Taco GC 🌮 (@KLArblaster) January 18, 2021
There’s lots of room for great character development, too.
I LOVE how they made her a legit rookie at this! She has no idea what she’s doing, and she’s doing it for selfish motives! So they can develop her!!! #Batwoman pic.twitter.com/ZkwEFDubEF
— THE Gentleman (@Abovethelaw187) January 18, 2021
“Sold!!”
Sold!! I’m so excited for this new season! What an incredible story!! #Batwoman 🦇 https://t.co/PHa0IZkHqo
— Cecilia Howland-Jaime (@softballa0520) January 18, 2021
Episode 2×01 “Whatever Happened to Kate Kane?” establishes that, unlike the Waynes and the Kanes, Ryan comes from a poor background. Like both Bruce and Kate, however, she’s lost a parent, as her adoptive mother was killed by squatters who broke into their apartment. She then took to the streets and at 18 was wrongly convicted of drug possession, giving her a criminal record that’s made it hard to find employment or accommodation. In other words, she’s had a tough life, but now she’s got a chance to turn it around and help make Gotham City a better place.
Don’t miss Batwoman season 2 as it unfolds Sundays on The CW.