The Penguin is expanding its already impressive cast roster. As reported by Variety, Michael Zegen, James Madio and Scott Cohen are joining the Gotham fray in recurring roles. But that’s not all! According to Deadline, Theo Rossi also takes on a “key” recurring role in the series. 

The eight-episode crime drama — also billed as a miniseries — expands Colin Farrell’s role in The Batman, who plays the titular character Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot. As far as the premise goes, the series will follow Oswald as he rises through the ranks as a power player in Gotham’s seedy criminal underbelly. Nerdist reveals Farrell’s comments regarding when The Penguin, currently a working title, takes place: 

“[The Penguin] starts about a week after the film The Batman ends. So Gotham is still somewhat underwater … I read the first script for the first episode, and it opens up with my feet splashing through the water in Falcone’s office. Even just that alone, I read it, I was like, ‘Oh, jeez.’ It’s lovely. It’s so well-written.”

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Besides Farrell, The Penguin stars Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, Rhenzy Feliz, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Michael Kelly and Deirdre O’Connell. Matt Reeves serves as executive producer alongside Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner. Craig Zobel will helm a number of episodes. 

So far, we don’t know who Rossi, Cohen, Madio and Zegen are playing. According to Variety‘s sources, Zegen might portray Alberto Falcone, the son of Carmine Falcone, John Turturro’s character in The Batman. Alberto is also the brother of Milioti’s Sofia. 

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Zegen is best known for his role as Joel Maisel in Prime Video’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which is poised to debut its fifth and final season on April 14. Madio recently appeared in Paramount+’s The Offer as Gino, while Cohen is currently recurring as Adam Lustig in CBS’ East New York. Marvel fans will know Rossi from his run as Hernan “Shades” Alvarez in Luke Cage. He also starred opposite Aubrey Plaza in 2022’s crime thriller Emily the Criminal. 

Regardless of who they play, I’m excited for The Penguin solely based on its stellar cast alone. I love the idea of Zegen playing Alberto Falcone. He seems at home in those kinds of roles. 

Who are your theories regarding the new cast members and their characters? Sound off in the comments below!

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Melody McCune
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