Javicia Leslie
Javicia Leslie | |
|---|---|
 Leslie in 2019 | |
| Born | May 30, 1987 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Hampton University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | javicia |
Javicia Leslie (/dʒəˈviːsiə/ jə-VEE-see-ə;[1] born May 30, 1987) is an American actress. After landing her first major role in the Lifetime film Swim at Your Own Risk (2016), she appeared as a series regular on the BET drama The Family Business (2018–present) and the CBS comedy-drama God Friended Me (2018–2020). She also starred as the lead of the film Always a Bridesmaid (2019). In 2021, Leslie began portraying the title role of The CW superhero series Batwoman, and Red Death in the first five episodes of the ninth and final season of The Flash.
Early life and education
Leslie was born into a military family on May 30, 1987 in Augsburg, Germany.[2][3] Her family moved to Maryland where she grew up in Upper Marlboro. She attended Hampton University where she appeared in productions of Seven Guitars, for colored girls, and Chicago.[2]
Career
Following her graduation, Leslie moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.[4]
She appeared in the BET series The Family Business and was in the 2019 film Always a Bridesmaid.[5] She previously appeared as a series regular on God Friended Me from 2018 to 2020, where she portrayed the sister of Brandon Micheal Hall's character.
In 2020, Leslie was cast in the title role of Batwoman following the departure of original lead Ruby Rose. She plays Ryan Wilder, an original character created for the show, who takes up the mantle of Batwoman in the second season, and her evil Earth-4125 doppelganger who goes by the moniker Red Death[broken anchor] in the first five episodes of the ninth and final season of the CW live action TV series The Flash.
Personal life
Leslie identifies as bisexual. [4] She is a Christian[6] and trained in Muay Thai.[3]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | MuSicktuation | Kiyoko | Short |
| 2017 | Neva~eh | Princess Omni | Short |
| 2018 | Pas Honteux | Michelle | Short |
| 2019 | Stuck | Ebony | Short |
| First Day Back | Linda Jones | Short | |
| Always a Bridesmaid | Corina James | ||
| 2020 | Roped | Britney | |
| 2022 | We Are Gathered Here Today | Jen Stone-Spitz | |
| Something from Tiffany's | Sophia | ||
| 2023 | Double Life | Jo Creuzot |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–17 | Chef Julian | Monisha | Recurring role |
| 2016 | Hello Cupid Reboot | Mo | Main role |
| Swim At Your Own Risk | Samantha Morgan | Lifetime Television Feature | |
| Prototype | Waitress | Television film | |
| 2017 | Broke & Sexy | Monisha | Episode: "Broke&Sexy Finale" |
| 2017–18 | MacGyver | Jesse Colton | Episodes: "Hook" & "Riley + Airplane" |
| 2018–21 | The Family Business | Paris Duncan | Recurring role (seasons 1-2 & 4); guest (season 3) |
| 2018–20 | God Friended Me | Ali Finer | Main role |
| 2021–22 | Batwoman | Ryan Wilder/Batwoman | Lead role (seasons 2-3) |
| 2021–23 | The Flash | Ryan Wilder/Batwoman and Ryan Wilder/Red Death (Earth-4125)[7] | 5 episodes[8] |
| 2023 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Guest Judge | Also appeared in RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Untucked |
| 2024 | High Potential | Daphne[9] | lead role |
References
- ^ Hampton University (August 19, 2019). "Javicia Leslie Welcomes Onyx 12". Retrieved July 8, 2020 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Javicia Leslie – God Friended Me Cast Member". God Friended Me. CBS. Archived from the original on July 11, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
Javicia Leslie was born in Augsburg, Germany. She moved to Maryland at a young age and was raised in Upper Marlboro, near Washington, D.C. … Her birthday is May 30.
- ^ a b Crabtree, Erin (July 9, 2020). "Javicia Leslie Cast as New Batwoman for Season 2: 5 Things to Know". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
Leslie, 33 [as of July 9, 2020]...
- ^ a b Ausiello, Michael (July 8, 2020). "Batwoman Taps Javicia Leslie to Replace Ruby Rose in Title Role". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (July 8, 2020). "'Batwoman' Casts Javicia Leslie as New Series Lead". Variety. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
- ^ Yan, Jack (April 28, 2020). "Javicia Leslie: balancing act". Lucire. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
As a Christian, Leslie felt God guided her to make the transition.
- ^ Bucksbaum, Sydney (October 24, 2022). "'The Flash' casts 'Batwoman' star Javicia Leslie in mystery role for final season". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
- ^ Damore, Meagan (August 25, 2021). "Team Flash's Season 8 Roster Is Basically the Arrowverse's Justice League". CBR. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
- ^ Cordero, Rosy; Andreeva, Nellie (May 16, 2023). "ABC Picks Up Kaitlin Olson-Led 'High Potential' Series From Drew Goddard". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
External links
