Javicia Leslie
Leslie in 2019
Born (1987-05-30) May 30, 1987
Augsburg, Germany
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHampton University
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present
Websitejavicia.com

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 in the first five episodes of the ninth and final season of the CW live action TV series The Flash.

Personal life

Leslie is 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 Lead role

References

  1. ↑ Hampton University (August 19, 2019). "Javicia Leslie Welcomes Onyx 12". Retrieved July 8, 2020 – via YouTube.
  2. 1 2 "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.
  3. 1 2 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]...
  4. 1 2 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.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Bucksbaum, Sydney (October 24, 2022). "'The Flash' casts 'Batwoman' star Javicia Leslie in mystery role for final season". EW.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  8. ↑ Damore, Meagan (August 25, 2021). "Team Flash's Season 8 Roster Is Basically the Arrowverse's Justice League". CBR. Retrieved October 14, 2021.


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