Batwoman's Javicia Leslie talks possible return in Arrowverse shows like The Flash

Batwoman's surprise cancellation last month after three seasons left fans heartbroken with campaigns on social media, and even billboards across America, still not being enough to save the show.

But hope may not be lost entirely on seeing Javicia Leslie, who plays Ryan Wilder/Batwoman, wear the cape once more as she has said that she would return to the role in a heartbeat, whether that be a Batwoman-centric project or another Arrowverse show.

"If my schedule allows it, I'm always down to play in Gotham," she told Digital Spy in an exclusive interview. "I mean, Batwoman is a part of my fibre at this point. It's a part of my fabric. I think the most amazing part is, that was a character that we created. It's not something I have to play into, it's something that we created out of our own spirit and our own souls."

Related: Why Batwoman was cancelled – and the chances of season 4 or a movie

Speaking further about the lasting impact the role has had on her, Leslie said that she has to pay special attention to any new characters she portrays to ensure they diverge away from Ryan and the quirks she picked up along the way.

"It will always be a part of me, regardless. It's almost so a part of me that in this specific film I'm playing in right now, I'm like: 'Wait, Ryan would do that. We've got to try something different'. They put a flannel out in my dressing room, and I'm like: 'I can't wear a flannel. Ryan always wears flannels. You've got to try something different.

"If Batwoman comes back, amazing. But if not, I really have to work for the next few months to separate myself a bit from the character."

Related: Javicia Leslie has a message for fans campaigning to #SaveBatwoman

Reflecting on the fan response trying to save the show, Leslie expressed her heartfelt thanks for the support and hope that it meant people felt seen in ways they hadn't before.

"It's never been done. We have not had a female Black lead as a title for a superhero show. We just haven't had it yet. And to top it off, she's also gay, and I think that's just such a beautiful combination of diversity, in a way where you're able to really represent a vast community of people that have not been able to see themselves.

"So my words to those fans are: I see you. You may not have felt seen before, but because of this role, and, honestly, just because of what I've experienced and my own understanding and my own experience – I see you."

Batwoman aired on The CW in the US and E4 in the UK.

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Hannah Bird

Hannah Bird is a freelance sub-editor with over 10 years of experience in content creation and editorial across digital and print media. 

Beginning as a Lifestyle and Travel Editor, Hannah's expertise has since spanned entertainment, health, wellness and science, developing a keen eye for copy editing. Bringing her research skills as an Earth Science academic, Hannah enjoys thoroughly delving into topics to explore new angles and offer fresh stories to readers, as well as priding herself on the content's accuracy.

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David Opie

After teaching in England and South Korea, David turned to writing in Germany, where he covered everything from superhero movies to the Berlin Film Festival. 

In 2019, David moved to London to join Digital Spy, where he could indulge his love of comics, horror and LGBTQ+ storytelling as Deputy TV Editor, and later, as Acting TV Editor.

David has spoken on numerous LGBTQ+ panels to discuss queer representation and in 2020, he created the Rainbow Crew interview series, which celebrates LGBTQ+ talent on both sides of the camera via video content and longform reads.

Beyond that, David has interviewed all your faves, including Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal, Olivia Colman, Patrick Stewart, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Dornan, Regina King, and more — not to mention countless Drag Race legends. 

As a freelance entertainment journalist, David has bylines across a range of publications including Empire Online, Radio Times, INTO, Highsnobiety, Den of Geek, The Digital Fix and Sight & Sound. 

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