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Cristin Milioti Reflects on Her Role in HBO’s The Penguin
Before stepping into the shoes of Sofia Falcone, Cristin Milioti had a deep-rooted affinity for the Batman universe, having previously cosplayed as one of its noted villains.
“I’ve been a huge fan of Batman. I’ve seen every movie, often multiple times,” she shares with Gold Derby. “As a child, I dressed as Catwoman for Halloween, inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer‘s iconic portrayal in Batman Returns. That film was pivotal for me at a young age, igniting a passion that has lasted throughout my life.”
This passion appears to have paid off for Milioti, as her performance in HBO’s limited series The Penguin has garnered critical acclaim and recognition, leading to nominations for both the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
She expresses her gratitude: “I feel incredibly honored and overwhelmed. I’m looking forward to reuniting with the cast, dressing up, and celebrating what we’ve created. It’s a bit odd; we gather for premieres and press but don’t often get to reconnect outside those events. Having a night together will be special.”
The Penguin serves as a narrative extension of Matt Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman, with Colin Farrell reprising his role as the eponymous character. Milioti’s Sofia Falcone, previously an ally of Farrell’s character, turns into a formidable adversary—a supposed psychopathic killer recently released from Arkham State Hospital.
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The fourth episode of the series, titled “Cent’Anni,” dives into Sofia’s backstory, presenting flashbacks that reveal her tumultuous past. Framed for a murder orchestrated by her father, she is deemed mentally unstable by family members, resulting in a decade-long imprisonment in Arkham rather than the initial six-month sentence. This experience profoundly impacts her psyche, setting her on a path of vengeance upon her release, during which she resorts to poisoning her family with carbon monoxide.
Milioti, renowned for her roles in How I Met Your Mother and Palm Springs, shared her excitement upon reading the script for The Penguin: “I was truly taken aback by the quality of the writing. I was eager to explore a character over such a long arc, delving into her life experiences. It’s an exhilarating prospect.”
The role also posed significant challenges, both physically and emotionally. “I’m not trained in stunts,” she quips. “I found myself slammed around quite a bit! Maintaining the emotional intensity for prolonged periods was particularly demanding. Interestingly, I was so grateful for the opportunity that it didn’t feel like a challenge in the traditional sense; rather, I was driven to authentically represent her journey into madness.”
Eventually, Sofia emerges as a mob boss, and Milioti embraced this evolution. “Once Episode 4 arrives and she asserts her dominance, it feels empowering. While her actions are morally ambiguous, they’re grounded in her perspective. For instance, while she does something horrific, like poisoning her family, she rationalizes it as saving her niece, Gia. It’s twisted, yet in her mind, it’s a noble act after enduring so much deprivation.”
Milioti also speaks highly of Farrell as a co-star. “He is incredible. Even as our characters clash on-screen, we formed a genuine partnership off-screen. I felt secure while working with him, and together, we explored varying emotional depths. Plus, he brought a delightful sense of humor to our collaboration. He is truly a joy to work with.”
The tension culminates when the Penguin, known as Oz Cobb within the show, devises a cunning plan against Sofia. Instead of killing her, he orchestrates her downfall by turning the Gotham City police against her, ultimately leading to her imprisonment. “Their relationship is fascinating. They know each other intimately, which allows them to deliver punishments more harrowing than death itself.”
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