Harley Quinn

Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, later known as Harley Quinn, is a fictional character in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), based on the character of the same name created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm as a comic relief henchwoman for the supervillain Joker in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) animated series Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995) and later adapted to the DC Universe. Portrayed by actress Margot Robbie, she first appears in film in Suicide Squad (2016), playing a major role, and also stars in the spin-off solo film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020) and standalone sequel/soft reboot film The Suicide Squad (2021). She is first depicted as Joker's psychiatrist in prison, then later his lover and partner in crime, before going off on her own misadventures in her DCEU appearances. Her introduction sequence in Suicide Squad mentions her as an accomplice and directly responsible for the murder of Batman's sidekick Robin. Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn has received widespread critical acclaim. Development and portrayal Origins, casting and execution Harley Quinn was a late addition to the lineup of DC Entertainment supervillains, making her debut in the 1990s as a love interest to the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series. Nonetheless, she has become one of DC's most popular characters, especially as she has become an additional foil to Joker's character aside from Batman, and she later became a full-fledged character in the comics. Though originating as a supervillain, Harley, much like Catwoman, has been gradually developed as an antiheroine in later comic storylines. She has appeared in numerous adaptations of DC Comics storylines, being voiced by Arleen Sorkin in the DC Animated Universe and other actresses such as Tara Strong and Kaley Cuoco in the adult animated series based on the character.