TV

‘Batman’ prequel ‘Gotham’ casts iconic roles

Holy casting call!

Fox has announced more actors joining the cast of “Gotham,” its upcoming drama exploring the origins of Commissioner James Gordon and the villains who ultimately made “Batman” famous.

Handsome, blond Benjamin McKenzie, of “Southland” and “The O.C.” fame, will play Detective James Gordon. In the original 1966 ABC series, Gordon, much older, had become Commissioner Gordon. That role was played by Neil Hamilton.

Robin Lord Taylor is set to fill the Penguin’s shoes on ‘Gotham.’Steve Eichner/WireImage

Robin Lord Taylor (“The Walking Dead”) has been cast as The Penguin, the role made famous by Burgess Meredith in the original ABC series. The Penguin’s real name, believe it or not, is Oswald Cobblepot; he’s been described as a low-level psychopath with exceptional manners. If he’s pouring tea for you, make sure he hasn’t poisoned the pot.

“Burn Notice” co-star Zabryna Guevara will play Captain Essen, Commissioner Gordon’s boss at the Gotham City Police Department. She brings some diversity to the “Gotham” mix, since Gordon’s boss was white and male in the original series. Essen balances the two worlds of police and politics with a Machiavellian skill that’s as much corporate litigator as cop.

British actor Sean Pertwee will portray Alfred Pennyworth on the series.AP Photo/Joel Ryan

No one will play the role of Batman/Bruce Wayne’s manservant, Alfred Pennyworth, better than Alan Napier did in the original ABC series. But you have to admire the valor of the people who keep trying. This time around, it’s Sean Pertwee (from Steve Coogan’s upcoming movie, “Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa”). In this version, Alfred is a hard-boiled ex-Marine from East London. Pennyworth has loyally served the Wayne family; now, in the wake of the tragic deaths of Bruce Wayne’s parents, he’s fiercely protective of his young charge. (The actor playing Bruce Wayne has yet to be cast.)

Erin Richards (“Being Human”) will play Barbara Kean, the mother of Barbara Gordon (Batgirl in the ’60s series), who’s a dedicated emergency room doctor when she becomes engaged to James Gordon. She’s a good-time girl who has a vulnerable side.