Fox has officially given Gotham a series order. While fans of the DC setting are likely relieved to know that this project is moving forward, the news shouldn't seem completely surprising, considering we learned last fall that Fox was sending Gotham straight to series. However, the Gotham City-set drama, which will center around James Gordon, apparently had a "series commitment" at the time, which is not technically the same thing as a series order, though all signs pointed toward the show going forward.
EW explains the technicality, noting that a "series commitment" -- which is what Gotham had as of last year -- means Fox would have had to pay a penalty had they not given Gotham a full series order. Today's series order announcement makes Gotham a sure thing for Fox's upcoming line-up, for "at least 13 episodes." Here's the announcement from the official Gotham Twitter.
EW says they hear the first trailer will debut tonight during the premiere of 24: Live Another Day. So, let's hope that happens. It would be great to get our first look at the series.
Gotham will serve as a prequel story to the Batman era of Gotham City. Bruce Wayne is just a kid (played by David Mazouz) during this time period, and James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is a detective at the Gotham City Police Department. The cast also includes Donal Logue, who will play Gordon's partner Harvey Bullock. Camren Bicondova is set to play Selina Kyle, a teen in this series. Sean Pertwee is on board to play Bruce Wayne's trusted caretaker Alfred Pennyworth. Robin Lord Taylor will play Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin). And Jada Pinkett Smith is set to play the villainous gangster Fish Mooney.
Fox's decision to officially move forward with Bruno Heller's Gotham comes a week ahead of their Upfront presentation, so now is the time that they'll be making decisions on what series to order, what to renew and what to cancel. We already know that new series Almost Human has been cancelled, and that Sleepy Hollow will be back. Fox has also renewed Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mindy Project, New Girl and The Following. They also have Hart Hanson's Backstrom on deck. We'll have to wait and see where all of these series -- including Gotham -- fall on Fox's 2014-2015 line-up, which they should be announcing next week.
