Gotham’s Robin Lord Taylor Talks Oswald’s New Reign

Gotham‘s favorite villain, Robin Lord Taylor, recently spoke with reporters about what we can expect from his character, Oswald Cobblepot, in the upcoming season.

If you remember, last year’s epic Gotham finale ended with Penguin reigning supreme over the city as the new king of Gotham.

Quite the title to inherit from mobsters like Falcone, Maroni, and Fish Mooney.

So what’s on tap for city’s new sovereign?

Not easy times, that’s for sure.

The actor teased that while Oswald achieved his goal of finally being his own boss, that success is going to be hard to hold on to. “Now that he has achieved what he wants, he faces a whole new set of issues in terms of how to maintain that, how to stay on top,” he explained. “I don’t know if he is exactly prepared for that, and this whole season is going to be about challenging his intellect — basically everything that he has — in order to stay the king of Gotham.”

Another issue to factor in? His crumbling partnership with Jim Gordon, which took a turn for the worse, when Jim nearly left him to die in the finale.

Due to that little altercation, Oswald will no longer trust in Jim or see him as a friend, which could spell trouble for the new king of Gotham. Taylor said, “[Oswald] is going to learn that he does need people. You know, he’s somewhat isolated, and I do actually believe that that does weaken him. He is going to have to learn how to invite people in and rely on them to a certain extent. That’s part of his transformation this year.”

Who will he be relying on?

Selina Kyle for one. Taylor has had a few scenes with the teenage vixen this year, and it’s a new dynamic that he loves to see play out.

Butch, too, will still be playing the role of right hand man.

As far as trusting the brainwashed bully, Taylor doesn’t think Oswald will be too worried about betrayal there. “He relies on Butch, and he really does trust in the brainwashing. He trusts in Victor Zsasz and his amazing handiwork to get people to do his bidding.”

At least that’s one team member firmly on Oswald’s side!

Taylor also teased that we should keep an eye on Cameron Monaghan, who plays Jerome, and Cory Michael Smith, who plays Ed Nygma. Of all the rising villains this year, those are the two he thinks will really catch the audience’s eye.

But will they be an asset or a hindrance to Penguin? Not telling! You’ll just have to tune in to find out!

Who do you think Oswald should trust in the new season? And can he hold on to his tenuous new title?  Share your theories in comments below!

Gotham premieres tonight at 8/7c on FOX.