Queer political commentator Rachel Maddow plays snarky radio personality in The CW’s already-queer Batwoman.
Maddow lends her voice to Vesper Fairchild, a radio talk show host who, in the comics, becomes romantically involved with Batman’s alter ego Bruce Wayne. Maddow will not make any physical appearance in the show, however; she’ll merely be the voice of Fairchild.
“We consider Vesper Fairchild to be the sardonic Voice of Gotham,” Batwoman showrunner Carolina told The Hollywood Reporter. “In addition to Rachel’s interest in Batwoman, we thought she’d be the perfect casting choice because her own hard-hitting journalism wildly contrasts Vesper’s penchant for snark, gossip, and criticism of female superheroes.”
Maddow echoed this sentiment on Twitter.
I know no one's going to believe this is true, but it's true.
I'm "Vesper Fairchild" in the new Batwoman TV show that starts this Sunday night on The CW.
(My character is soooo not me; turns out playing her is one of the most fun things I've ever done).https://t.co/LP8PauXvUL
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) October 4, 2019
The show has already made strides in LGBTQ inclusion, with lesbian and gender fluid actress Ruby Rose playing the titular Batwoman/Kate Kane, the first openly LGBTQ live-action superhero lead.
Batwoman premiered yesterday (October 6). You can watch following episodes every Sunday on The CW at 8pm.