In recent Gotham TV series episodes, one actor who instantly became the star of the show is Robin Lord Taylor for his brilliant portrayal of young Oswald 'The Penguin' Cobblepot. In Penguin's Umbrella episode, he was praised by Den of Geek saying "as ever, Robin Lord Taylor was excellent this week, again proving his range by showcasing his sincere apology face, pure evil ally-murdering abilities and some questionable goose-impersonation skills."
Taylor's career took off because of the exposure that his character is getting. It's not the same though for Cory Michael Smith who plays young Edward Nygma who will become another Batman villain Tthe Riddler. Smith gets minimal time on each Gotham TV series episode and he is aware of it. When asked how far is Nygma from becoming the Riddler, Smith answered 'significantly' and he is okay with that.
"Significantly. And I'm very happy about that," Smith said in an interview with Assignment X.
"[The producers have suggested] that every season is going to focus on a villain, and presumably in the order in which we're introduced, and the significance with which we're introduced in the pilot. So right now, as an actor, I want to start as far away from the Riddler as possible. That's the most exciting to me."
Cory Michael Smith as Edward 'The Riddler' Nygma in Gotham TV series
Smith also hinted that you might not see Nygma become the villain that he is in the next Gotham TV series episodes because showrunner Bruno Heller and writers are taking things slowly. They want to keep Edward as the police investigator who wants puns, riddles, math, and science.
"What [series developer/executive producer] Bruno Heller and I are trying to do is create a person whose comfort zone is science, math, numbers, puzzles, riddles, question/answer, a bit socially inept. He's socially unconventional. When he's in a room, he's not necessarily aware of what's going on, of people's emotions, of what is normal."
Aside from Smith, Gotham TV series also stars Ben MecKenzie as James Gordon, David Mazouz as young Bruce Wayne, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney and more. Gotham will return on January 5 for its 11th episode called 'Rogues Gallery.'
