8 New Characters We're Looking Forward to on 'The Boys,' 'Batwoman' & More
Our regular fall shows may not be back just yet — premiere dates are slowly being unveiled — but we're already looking ahead to what's to come on our favorite returning, scripted shows.
From someone new suiting up in a titular role (Batwoman) to new additions to teams (9-1-1: Lone Star, Star Trek: Discovery) to a new role after 15 years (Jensen Ackles), we're rounding up the new characters we're looking forward to seeing in the 2020-2021 season below.
See Also14 TV Stars Promoted Ahead of the 2020-21 Season
Tommy Vega (9-1-1: Lone Star)
First of all, it’s Gina Torres, back on our screens. Plus, we can’t wait to see how she clicks or clashes with the first responders we got to know over the first season of the 9-1-1 spinoff.
The paramedic captain, played by the new series regular, “was at the top of her game when she hung up her uniform to raise her twin daughters,” the character description reads. But eight years later, COVID-19 causes her husband’s restaurant to go under and she must return to work to support her family. She “will show the world that no matter how much time has passed, when she puts on that uniform, she’s still a boss.”
Ryan Wilder (Batwoman)
Javicia Leslie is stepping into Batwoman’s cape and cowl for the second season, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what she brings to the role — and what her character, Ryan Wilder, brings to the show.
“I loved the idea that it’s goofy meets badass meets a person that doesn’t like to be told what to do, a person that does not like to follow the rules,” Leslie said of her character at the show’s DC FanDome panel on September 12. She’ll be looking to help her community, those who have “been neglected by the system,” when she suits up.
Safiyah (Batwoman)
Shivaani Ghai will recur as the villain who was previously mentioned but not seen on the CW superhero drama. And who wouldn’t want to meet the woman that Alice (Rachel Skarsten) is “a little bit terrified of”?
“Alice really meets her match when she comes face-to-face with Safiyah and we know that they have some of weird relationship because Alice is scared of her for some reason,” showrunner Caroline Dries told TV Insider at the end of Season 1. “We’ll start to understand what happened between them, why it happened, and how this woman is actually able to pull on Alice’s strings and is actually more powerful than her.”
Soldier Boy (The Boys)
Jensen Ackles has already booked his first post-Supernatural role and it reunites him with the creator of the long-running CW drama (which ends in November), Eric Kripke. As much as we love Ackles as hunter Dean Winchester, we can’t help but be very intrigued about what he’ll bring to The Boys and to see him as the original Superhero, Soldier Boy.
“After Soldier Boy fought in World War II, he became the first super celebrity, and a mainstay of American culture for decades,” the description reads. According to Kripke, Ackles will “bring so much humor, pathos, and danger to the role.”
Gianna Mackey (Chicago Fire)
Ambulance 61’s empty seat will be filled by Vagrant Queen‘s Adriyan Rae — and as she revealed on Instagram, she’s joining the One Chicago family after “auditioning for [them] for almost 2 years.” Will she be just what paramedic Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) needs after her rough Season 8?
Mack is described as “a lovable troublemaker with a twinkle in her eye” who isn’t a pushover and is “tough and quick to defend the defenseless, isn’t afraid of a little chaos and rolls with the punches while approaching everything with a bit of wry humor.”
Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz (DC's Legends of Tomorrow)
There’s a new legend coming on board the Waverider, and either she’ll help the others get Sara (Caity Lotz) back after she was abducted by aliens, or she’s crazy. Lisseth Chavez is joining the cast as a new series regular in Season 6.
Spooner Cruz is described as “tough and self-sufficient” and “prepared,” not “paranoid,” with her tech she uses to detect and defend against aliens. She previously encountered aliens and now thinks she can communicate telepathically with aliens.
Adira (Star Trek: Discovery)
The Star Trek CBS All Access series is going where the franchise hasn’t before, introducing the first non-binary character, played by Blu del Barrio. We can’t wait to see them, especially with what we know so far.
According to CBS All Access, “Adira is highly intelligent with a confidence and self-assurance well beyond their years. They will find a new home on the U.S.S. Discovery and form an unexpected bond with Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz).”
Gray (Star Trek: Discovery)
Discovery is also introducing the franchise’s first transgender character, played by Ian Alexander, in Season 3. “Gray is empathetic, warm and eager to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a Trill host, but he will have to adapt when his life takes an unexpected turn,” his character’s description reads.
It sounds like the Discovery crew may be just what he needs. After all, they’ve all taken “an unexpected turn” recently — into the future!
