Harley Quinn (Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel) is a fictional character appearing in media published by DC Entertainment. Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm to serve as a new supervillainess and a romantic interest for the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series on September 11, 1992, she was later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic book canon, beginning with the one-shot Batman: Harley Quinn #1 (October 1999).



Harley Quinn is a frequent accomplice and lover of the Joker, who was her patient when she worked as an intern psychiatrist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum. Her alias is a play on the name "Harlequin", a character that originated in commedia dell'arte. She has also teamed up with fellow villains Poison Ivy and Catwoman, the trio being known as the Gotham City Sirens. Since the relaunch of the DC comics line with The New 52, Harley Quinn has often been depicted as an antihero and a recurring core member of the Suicide Squad who has left her abusive relationship with the Joker behind.



Originally voiced by Arleen Sorkin in the DC animated universe, she has since appeared in various other DC projects voiced by actresses such as Tara Strong, Hynden Walch, Laura Bailey, Jenny Slate, Melissa Rauch, Laura Post, and Kaley Cuoco; the latter provided the character's voice in the 2019 animated series, Harley Quinn. Mia Sara portrayed the character in the 2002 television series Birds of Prey. Harley Quinn made her live-action cinematic debut in the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad (2016), where she was portrayed by Margot Robbie. Robbie reprised her role in Birds of Prey (2020) and The Suicide Squad (2021).