Cory Michael Smith's Edward 'The Riddler' Nygma is yet to blossom into a full time villain in Gotham TV series. In fact, it hasn't shown any shades of darkness unlike Robin Lord Taylor's Oswald 'The Penguin' Cobblepot who is one of the show's best characters according to fans. However, whenever Smith's character appears, fans are dazzled by his intelligence and his uncanny ways of solving a crime. Edward Nygma is such a joy to see on TV and that will not be possible if not for Smith's dedication in portraying the role.
The Gotham TV series is one of the bigger projects that Smith has ever had. Although he is already 27, he is relatively young in the entertainment industry. The young actor knows he still has a lot to learn. Even though he lacks experience, he makes up for it by researching. For his role in Gotham TV series, he doesn't need to look that far as he already has an inspiration for his role right from the high school where he studied.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he revealed that there is someone from his high school who is pretty much like Edward Nygma. That person is where he is basing his performance in Gotham TV series. He said this boy is a loner and "had a very odd walk."
"We weren't allowed to have backpacks in school, so we had to carry all of our books, and at all times he was carrying all of his books, always. He never went to his locker, so he had five textbooks and three binders that he was constantly carrying around."
Although seems weird, that kid, according to Smith, is smart.
"He was always a mystery to me, an enigma," Smith said with a chuckle. "He was very quiet and incredibly intelligent. I fear giving too many details that he would read in The Wall Street Journal and know that I'm talking about him!"
He added that his classmate was also had trouble communicating with people, much like his "Gotham" character and would be "quite rude when people would give the wrong answer." "Very strange," Smith said, "but I think of him a lot when I'm doing the role."
Gotham TV series will return on November 10 for its eight episode titled The Mask. Aside from Smith, the show also stars Ben McKenzie as the main protagonist Jim Gordon, David Mazouz as young Bruce Wayne, Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot and Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney.
