How Stargirl's Anjelika Washington Really Felt About The Fan Reaction To Dr. Mid-Nite
"Stargirl" may exist out of the primary "Arrowverse" continuity on The CW (despite a brief crossover in the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" event), but it's still managed to carve out a unique niche for itself in the world of superheroes. The show follows Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger), who assumes the mantle of Stargirl after finding the Cosmic Staff, and together with a group of new superheroes, they become the new Justice Society of America.
Fortunately, she has plenty of help to stop an array of supervillains, including Yolanda Montez (Yvette Monreal), a.k.a. Wildcat II, Rick Tyler (Cameron Gellman), a.k.a. Hourman II, and Beth Chapel (Anjelika Washington), a.k.a. Doctor Mid-Nite II. Washington, in particular, perfectly embodies Beth Chapel, starting as a social reject but quickly coming into her own as a powerful superhero. It makes it all the more disheartening that she had to deal with a fair amount of abuse when she was initially cast in the role, as she elaborated on during an interview published by the Geena Davis Institute.
Anjelika Washington spoke about the backlash her and other actresses have faced
When the topic of Washington's casting comes up, the actress mentions how she knew going into it that some people wouldn't like the fact she took on this role. Specifically, she knew people wouldn't like the fact a Black woman would play a character who's traditionally seen as a white man, despite the fact that she technically plays Doctor Mid-Nite II, who's a Black woman in the comics.
As she elaborated, "When they originally posted that I was going to be the new Doctor Mid-Nite, it got so many negative comments they actually had to delete the post. So I was very aware from the very beginning about everything that this would entail, being a Black female superhero, so I wasn't surprised. A little disappointed, but it, indeed, was a conversation." She also likened her experience with the backlash received by Anna Diop, who was cast as Starfire on "Titans."
Fortunately, it appears Washington doesn't have to deal with as much negativity these days. The interviewer confirms that after the show aired, she received so many questions from fans they wanted to ask the actress, so she clearly has a devoted fan base at this point who can't wait to see what she accomplishes next.