Now that Fox’s Gotham has its James Gordon, the Batman prequel series has started adding supporting players. The actors who will play the villain Penguin, the loyal Wayne family butler Alfred Pennyworth, Gordon’s boss and his fiance have been chosen.
Robin Lord Taylor (Another Earth) will play Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin. The character hasn’t been used in the movies since Danny DeVitto gave a gruesome performance in 1993’s Batman Returns, so Taylor will have the job of reinventing the character for a new generation. According to TheWrap, Oswald’s character is a man who looks polite on the outside, but has a dangerous hunger for power underneath.
Sean Pertwee (Alan Partridge) was cast as Alfred, while Zabryna Guevara (Burn Notice) will play Gordon’s boss and leader of the GCPD Homicide Squad, Capt. Essen. Erin Richards (Being Human) plays Barbara Kean, Gordon’s supportive fiance who stands by his side.
Earlier this week, former Southland star Ben McKenzie was cast as James Gordon. The series will tell the story of how he helped fight crime in Gotham before Bruce Wayne became Batman. Danny Cannon (CSI) is directing the pilot.
Gotham is one of the most anticipated shows for the next television season. Fox has put in a full series order. It is being developed by Mentalist creator Bruno Heller.
image courtesy of Amazon