Gotham (TV series)
Gotham | |
---|---|
File:Gotham-logo.png | |
Genre | |
Based on | Characters published by DC Comics |
Developed by | Bruno Heller |
Starring |
|
Composers | Graeme Revell David E. Russo |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 1 |
Production | |
Executive producers | |
Producer | Scott White |
Production location | Manhattan, New York |
Cinematography |
|
Editor | Daniel Gabbe |
Running time | 49 minutes (pilot) |
Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | Fox |
Release | September 22, 2014 present | –
Gotham is an American crime television series developed by Bruno Heller, based on characters appearing in and published by DC Comics in their Batman franchise, primarily those of Detective James Gordon and Bruce Wayne. The series stars Ben McKenzie as the young Gordon.[1] Heller is the executive producer along with Danny Cannon, who also directed the pilot. Gotham received a series order from Fox on May 5, 2014,[2] and premiered on September 22, 2014.[3]
As originally conceived, the series would have served as a straightforward story of Gordon's early days on the Gotham City police force. The idea evolved not only to include the Bruce Wayne character, but will also tell the origin stories of several Batman villains, including Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Joker,[4] Poison Ivy,[5] Scarecrow,[6] Hugo Strange, Harvey Dent[7] and Mr. Freeze.[8] The first season order consists of sixteen episodes.
Synopsis
A new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen's Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham's highest-profile cases: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred Pennyworth, which further compels Gordon to catch the mysterious killer. Along the way, Gordon must confront gang boss Fish Mooney, businessman Carmine Falcone, as well as many of Gotham's future villains such as Selina Kyle, Edward Nygma, and Oswald Cobblepot. Eventually, Gordon is forced to form an unlikely friendship with Wayne, one that will help shape the boy's future in becoming Batman.[4]
Cast
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Gothamcast.jpg/300px-Gothamcast.jpg)
- Ben McKenzie as James Gordon,[1] the main protagonist of the series. James Gordon is a detective at Gotham City Police Department who works to find the man who killed Bruce Wayne's parents and get rid of the corruption at the Gotham City Police Department.
- Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock,[9] a detective at the Gotham City Police Department who is partnered with James Gordon and is secretly allied with Carmine Falcone.
- David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne,[10] the son of Thomas and Martha Wayne who is now under the care of Alfred Pennyworth.
- Zabryna Guevara as Sarah Essen, the Captain of the Gotham City Police Department homicide squad and the boss of James Gordon and Harvey Bullock.[11]
- Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth,[11] the butler of Bruce Wayne who raises him after the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
- Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot (true surname "Kapelput",[11][12] an up-and-coming mobster in Fish Mooney's gang who is nicknamed "Penguin" by her thugs.
- Erin Richards as Barbara Kean,[11] James Gordon's fiancée.
- Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle,[10] a young thief with a fascination with cats nickname "Cat" who witnesses Bruce Wayne's parents being murdered. Since that incident, Selina Kyle has been lingering around the borders of Wayne Manor.
- Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma,[13][14] a coroner for the Gotham City Police Department who is good with riddles.
- Victoria Cartagena as Renee Montoya a detectives in the major crimes unit of the Gotham City Police Department.[14]
- Andrew Stewart-Jones as Crispus Allen a detective in the major crimes unit of the Gotham City Police Department.[14]
- John Doman plays Carmine Falcone, a Mafia Don and businessman who is Fish Mooney's superior and has specific members of both the Gotham City government and the Gotham City Police Department on his payroll.[15]
- Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney,[16] a mob boss who is an informative associate of Harvey Bullock and an underling of Don Carmine Falcone.
Richard Kind portrays Aubrey James, the Mayor of Gotham City.[17] Drew Powell portrays Butch Gilzean, the second-in-command to Fish Mooney.[18]Clare Foley plays Ivy Pepper (based on the character Poison Ivy), the young daughter of low-level crook Mario Pepper.[19] Carol Kane portrays Gertrud Kapelput, the over-possessive, heavily accented mother of Oswald Cobblepot.[20] David Zayas appears as Salvatore Maroni.[21] Kyle Massey was cast as Macky, a kid living on the streets of Gotham.[22] Sara Paxton has also been cast in an unidentified role.[23]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code |
U.S. viewers (million) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | Danny Cannon | Bruno Heller | September 22, 2014 | 276072 | 8.21[24] |
After Thomas and Martha Wayne are mugged and shot by a masked criminal with shiny shoes which is witnessed by Selena Kyle, rookie detective James Gordon is paired up with detective Harvey Bullock to find the person responsible. After Gordon meets Bruce Wayne and his butler Alfred Pennyworth, he and Bullock pursue Mario Pepper, the main suspect of the Waynes' murder, whom Bullock end up killing in self-defense. Gordon later learns that Pepper was framed. He learns about the corruption in the Gotham City government and the police department after he and Bullock are saved from the henchmen of mobstress Fish Mooney by Mafia boss Carmine Falcone. Before faking the death of Fish Mooney's rookie member Oswald Cobblepot, Gordon hears from Cobblepot that there is a war coming, with Falcone's rivals planning to claim his territory. Gordon visits Bruce again and tells him the truth about Pepper being framed, but convinces him to keep it a secret so that he can find the real killer. As Gordon leaves, Selena Kyle is seen outside the property of Wayne Manor. | ||||||
2 | "Selina Kyle"[25] | Danny Cannon | Bruno Heller | September 29, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
James Gordon and Harvey Bullock investigate a child-trafficking ring where street kids are being abducted by minions of the Dollmaker posing as the Mayor's Homeless Outreach Program. Meanwhile, Oswald Cobblepot takes refuge in a rented trailer after leaving Gotham City. After the abducters have gotten away with one of the front people getting apprehended, Mayor Aubrey James plans to find foster homes for the street kids. The Dollmaker's minions return and hijack the bus of street kids with one of the passengers being Selena Kyle. After Harvey Bullock's interrogation one of the frontmen that was associated with the Dollmaker, James Gordon obtains a clue that leads to Trident International Shipping. Jim and Harvey arrive and catch the two leading Dollmaker minions while encountering Selena Kyle. While Bruce has plans to find a way to help the children, James Gordon meets with Selena Kyle who states that she has been watching him in his visits with Bruce Wayne and might have some information on the person who shot Thomas and Martha Wayne. | ||||||
3 | "The Balloonman"[26] | Unknown | Unknown | October 6, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
4 | "Arkham"[27] | Unknown | Unknown | October 13, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
5 | "Viper"[28] | Unknown | Unknown | October 20, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
6 | "Spirit of the Goat"[28] | Unknown | Unknown | November 3, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
7 | "Penguin's Umbrella"[28] | Unknown | Unknown | November 11, 2014 | TBA | TBA |
Production
On September 24, 2013, Fox announced that it had bypassed the traditional pilot phase and placed a straight-to-series order for Gotham, to be written and executive produced by Bruno Heller.[29] Danny Cannon was later announced as director for the project.[30]
Speaking of the project at the 2014 winter TCA press tour, Fox president Kevin Reilly described the series as "this operatic soap that has a slightly larger-than-life quality. This is not some adjunct companion series. This is the Batman franchise, just backing it up [in chronology]."[31] He also added that the series is separate from any DC film universe.[32]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Gotham_City_backdrop_for_Gotham_TV_series.jpg/220px-Gotham_City_backdrop_for_Gotham_TV_series.jpg)
In January 2014, rumors arose that Donal Logue would portray Gordon in the series. Logue denied these rumors via Twitter.[33] Logue was eventually cast as Harvey Bullock.[9] In February 2014, Ben McKenzie was cast as James Gordon.[1] Later in the month, it was reported that production would begin in New York City in March 2014.[9] In early March 2014, David Mazouz was cast as Bruce Wayne, while Camren Bicondova was cast as Selina Kyle.[10] At the 2014 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, DC's Jim Cunninham said that Renee Montoya would be a character on the show.[34] The first season was reported to consist of 16 episodes, rather than the standard 13 or 22.[35] Fox’s Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly stated, "We were only contractually obligated to order 13, and we ordered 16, because we think that’s the way that show, at least in its first iteration, will be very strong to arc to. Could we do more next season? We certainly could, but that’s where we’re starting with that one. That show is going to have a very strong, serialized element."[36]
The pilot was screened at the Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment panel at San Diego Comic-Con International in July 2014.[37] In July 2014, it was announced that Graeme Revell would be the composer for the series.[38]
Broadcast
The series premiered in New Zealand on TV2 on September 28, 2014.[39]
Nine Network will air the show in Australia,[40] while CTV has acquired the broadcast rights for Canada.[41] Channel 5 will air Gotham in the United Kingdom [42] in October, while RTÉ Two will air the show in Ireland.[43] In September 2014, Warner Bros. Television Distribution sold the video on demand rights to the series to Netflix.[44]
Reception
Ratings
No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) |
Viewers (millions) |
DVR (18–49) |
DVR Viewers (millions) |
Total (18–49) |
Total viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | September 22, 2014 | 3.2/10[24] | 8.21[24] | — | — | — | — |
2 | "Selina Kyle" | September 29, 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | "The Balloonman" | October 6, 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | "Arkham" | October 13, 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Reviews
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that the first season of the show has a 90% approval rating, based on 73 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's consensus reads, "High production values, a talented cast, and an appealingly stylized approach to the Batman mythos help Gotham overcome its occasionally familiar themes."[45] On Metacritic, the show has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 34 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[46]
David Hinckley of the New York Daily News praised the first episode for playing "like a 45-minute movie, with stunning visuals that never feel like a shrunken TV version of the Batman films against which it will inevitably be measured" and lauded Donal Logue's Harvey Bullock as a scene-stealer.[47] The San Jose Mercury News's Chuck Barney called the pilot "a fun, dark, moody and well-paced first hour" and Ben McKenzie's James Gordon a commanding lead, while saying Jada Pinkett Smith is "an absolute blast to watch."[48] Matt Brennan of Indiewire said that Gotham was "the perfect antidote to superhero fatigue", praising the "bright, pop-inflected aesthetic, with urban backdrops that appear as though cut out from the panels of a comic book."[49]
References
- ^ a b c Andreea, Nellie (February 8, 2014). "Ben McKenzie To Star As Detective James Gordon In Fox's Batman Series 'Gotham'". Deadline. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 5, 2014). "'Gotham' Gets Series Order at FOX; Updated With Trailer (Video)". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (July 10, 2014). "FOX Announces Fall Premiere Dates for the 2014-2015 Season; 'Red Band Society' Launches Early, 'Sleepy Hollow' & 'Gotham' on September 22". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Lesnick, Silas (March 11, 2014). "FOX's Gotham Reveals a Logo and Official Synopsis". Super Hero Hype. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (May 5, 2014). "First Trailer for Gotham Revealed". IGN. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (May 13, 2014). "Gotham Featurette Reveals New Footage And Details". IGN. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (July 20, 2014). "Gotham Showrunner: Professor Hugo Strange and How Arkham Asylum Came to Be Part of Season One". IGN. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (July 30, 2014). "Gotham to introduce Mr Freeze: 'The science needs to be real'". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
- ^ a b c Littleton, Cynthia (February 12, 2014). "Donal Logue Joins Fox's Batman Prequel 'Gotham'". Variety. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ a b c Maglio, Tony (March 4, 2014). "'Gotham' Finds Its Bruce Wayne in 'Touch' Star David Mazouz". The Wrap. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Marechal, AJ (February 11, 2014). "Fox's 'Gotham' Casts Classic 'Batman' Characters the Penguin, Alfred Pennyworth". Variety. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
- ^ "(GTH-101) "Pilot"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ Hibberd, James (April 1, 2014). "Fox's 'Gotham' scoop: The Riddler cast". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ a b c Goldberg, Lesley (May 12, 2014). "Fox's 'Gotham' Promotes Three to Series Regular". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (August 21, 2014). "Gotham: "Pilot" Review". IGN. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 19, 2014). "Jada Pinkett Smith To Play Villain In Fox's Batman Drama 'Gotham'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (May 6, 2014). "Gotham: 12 burning questions about the Batman TV prequel". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2014). "Rob Brown To Co-Star In NBC's 'Salvation', Fox's 'Gotham' Adds Drew Powell". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ Chan, Robert (May 6, 2014). "We Break Down the First 'Gotham' Trailer: 'There's a War Coming'". Yahoo.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 2, 2014). "Gotham Casts Carol Kane as [Spoiler]'s Mother". TV Line. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2014). "David Zayas To Play Mobster Sal Maroni In 'Gotham'". Deadline. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 3, 2014). "Gotham Recruits Kyle Massey for Recurring Role". TV Line. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ Meares, Tasha (April 29, 2014). "Fox Adds Writer/Producer John Stephens to Gotham Series". FanSided. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c Kondolojy, Amanda (September 23, 2014). "Monday Final Ratings: 'Forever', 'Dancing With the Stars' & 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'Scorpion' & 'America's Next Top Model' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
- ^ "Gotham - Episode Guide for Season 1". Zap2It. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
- ^ "(GTH-103) "The Balloonman"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
- ^ "(GTH-104) "Arkham"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
- ^ O'Connell, Michael (September 24, 2013). "Batman Prequel Series Coming to Fox". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 7, 2014). "Danny Cannon To Direct & Executive Produce Fox's 'Gotham' Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt (January 13, 2014). "Holy Gotham! Fox's James Gordon Series Will Include Bruce Wayne, Penguin, Riddler, Others". TV Line. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Cornet, Roth (January 13, 2014). "FOX's Gotham Is a Batman Origin Story and Will Have a Christopher Nolan-Esque Tone". IGN. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Harman, Harry (January 15, 2014). "Donal Logue Denies Involvment in Fox's Batman TV Series Gotham". Movie Web. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
- ^ Siegel, Lucas (April 26, 2014). "C2E2 2014: DC Comics Batman Panel- Eternal News, Joker's Return Teased". Newsarama. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
- ^ Rose, Lacey (May 12, 2014). "TV Upfronts: Fox's Kevin Reilly on 'Idol' Changes, 'Gotham' Hype and a 'Tough' Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (May 13, 2014). "How Many Episodes Will Gotham Season 1 Have?". IGN. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
- ^ Beedle, Tim (June 30, 2014). "Breaking News: Gotham, The Flash, Constantine and Arrow Will Share the Stage at Comic-Con". DC Comics. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ^ Campbell, Evan (July 2, 2014). "Veteran Comic Book Movie Composer Graeme Revell to Score Gotham". IGN. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ http://tvnz.co.nz/gotham/index-group-6060824
- ^ Knox, David (May 26, 2014). "Seven secures Battle Creek, from Vince Gilligan". TV Tonight. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- ^ "CTV acquires 11 new shows including 'Gotham' and 'How To Get Away With Murder'". CTV News. May 23, 2014.
- ^ "Gotham is coming to Channel 5". Channel 5. August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
- ^ "Watch! Look into the eyes of Gotham's villains". RTÉ. June 19, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
- ^ Wallenstein, Andrew (September 2, 2014). "Netflix Lands Fox's 'Gotham' After First Season Worldwide". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ^ "Gotham: Season 1". Flixster. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Gotham : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ Hinckley, David (July 17, 2014). "Fox's Batman prequel 'Gotham,' with Ben McKenzie, shows style and sleek visuals in pilot screening". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ Barney, Chuck (July 17, 2014). "'Gotham': TV critics get first look at buzzy Batman prequel". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ Matt Brennan (September 21, 2014). "Review: 'Gotham,' Fox's Whiz-Bang Antidote to Superhero Fatigue (TRAILER)". IndieWire. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
External links
- 2014 American television series debuts
- 2010s American television series
- American action television series
- American crime television series
- American drama television series
- Batman television series
- Detective television series
- English-language television programming
- Fox network shows
- Police procedural television series
- Prequel television series
- Serial drama television series
- Superhero television programs
- Television programs based on DC Comics
- Television series by Warner Bros. Television
- Television shows set in the United States