“Gotham” has just increased its population by one.
“HawthoRNe” star Jada Pinkett Smith has been cast in Fox’s upcoming Batman-inspired origin story “Gotham,” as Fish Mooney, a sadistic gangster boss and nightclub owner. The character is described as having the street smarts and almost extra-sensory abilities to read people like an open book. Imposing and hotheaded, she’s not one to be crossed. She’s the boss to Oswald Cobblepot (probably better known to comic-book fans as The Penguin), a low-level psychopath who hides his sadistic lust for power behind an exquisitely polite demeanor.
“Gotham,” which has received a series commitment from Fox, explores the origin stories of Commissioner James Gordon and the villains that made Gotham famous. “Southland” alum Ben McKenzie has been cast as Gordon. The cast also includes “The Walking Dead” actor Robin Lord Taylor as Cobblepot, Zabryna Guevara as Gotham Police Department boss Captain Essen, and “Camelot’s” Sean Pertwee as loyal Wayne family servant Alfred Pennyworth.
Also read: Fox’s ‘Gotham’ Casts Its Penguin, Alfred, and Future Mrs. Gordon
Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist,” “Rome”) wrote the pilot script and will serve as executive producer, with Danny Cannon (“CSI”) directing and executive producing the pilot. Warner Bros. Television is producing.