Colin Farrell isn’t shutting the door on returning as Gotham’s infamous crime lord, Oswald “Oz” Cobb, in a potential second season of The Penguin. The Batman spinoff, which aired on Max, was originally billed as a limited series, but with its success, Farrell is keeping an open mind—if the right story comes along.
Speaking to reporters in the virtual press room after winning the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, Farrell made it clear that a second season would only happen under the right circumstances.
If they came up with an idea for a second season that was really strong, and we all felt compelled to continue to explore the character of Oz in that way, then for sure.
he said, acknowledging the influence of executive producers Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, and Lauren LeFranc in shaping the show’s future.Advertisement
A Bigger Gotham Picture?
Farrell emphasized that any future seasons of The Penguin would need to align with the larger Batman universe Reeves has created.
“It all has to tie in though [to the Batman world],” he explained, referring to the dark, gritty Gotham introduced in Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman, which starred Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader. Farrell, who is set to reprise his role as Oz in The Batman 2, praised Reeves’ vision.
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Matt Reeves is the G.O.A.T. in this world of Gotham right now… He’s the boss and he established this new vision of Gotham with the Batman film.
Farrell said
As The Penguin remains categorized as a limited series, any decision to extend it would mean a shift in awards eligibility from the less competitive limited series category to the high-stakes drama series category. Farrell remains open to the idea but says the creative direction would be the deciding factor.
It has to work in a parallel way. So we’ll see what Matt Reeves and the rest of them can come up with. But yeah, I’d be open to it for sure.
he said, of balancing The Penguin with the ongoing Batman films
Farrell’s Award-Season Hot Streak
Since The Penguin wrapped in November, Farrell has been on an awards-season roll, scoring wins at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and Saturn Awards, among others. However, he remains modest about his impact on the genre.
Maybe I’m just too self-centered that I don’t feel the weight of representing the genre that this is of—the crossover world from the pulp of comic book.
he said, adding that he grew up enjoying classic Batman properties like Batman ’66
To be honest with you, I don’t feel like I’m setting any benchmark. I feel like what I’m doing is joining an already established lineage of wonderful actors to create great characters, and it’s just a different interpretation. But all this is lovely, man. None of us really saw any of it coming… It’s very, very rewarding.
Farrell Admits to Giving Jamie Lee Curtis COVID
During the SAG Awards ceremony, presenter Jamie Lee Curtis jokingly called out Farrell for giving her COVID at the Golden Globes. When Farrell took the stage to accept his award, he didn’t deny it.
Guilty as charged! But Brendan Gleeson f**king gave it to me! So I was just spreading the love.
he quipped, earning laughs from the audience.
For now, The Penguin’s future remains uncertain, but with Farrell’s enthusiasm and the show’s success, fans may not have seen the last of Oz Cobb just yet.