Colin Farrell is definitely open to a second season of The Penguin. After some initial hesitation, the actor says he’s ready to dive back into his complex role as Gotham’s crime boss, Oz Cobb. Despite his previous complaints about the time-consuming makeup process, Farrell seems to have softened after seeing the fan response and high ratings for the HBO show. “If there’s a great idea [for season two], and the writing is strong, I’d do it,” he shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
The positive reaction from viewers has been crucial for Farrell. “For me, success is just about whether most people like it,” he said, explaining how audience approval matters to him more than critical reviews alone.
Colin Farrell is open to reprising his role as Oz Cobb in The Penguin if a second season is greenlit, saying he’d return “if the writing’s good.” Despite initial doubts over the intense makeup and character demands, Farrell was swayed by the strong fan response and critical praise for the show. Now, he’s ready to dive back into Gotham’s dark underworld, hoping to explore more of Oz’s complex journey.
Behind the Mask: Colin Farrell’s Journey Into Darkness as Oz Cobb in ‘The Penguin
Originally planned as a one-season tie-in to Matt Reeves’ The Batman, The Penguin followed Oz Cobb’s ruthless rise to power across eight episodes. With the show’s success, discussions are underway about turning it into a longer series, following the path of shows like The White Lotus. However, the role has its challenges: playing the Penguin requires Farrell to undergo hours of makeup and to slip into the mindset of a brutal gangster. Farrell took a method approach, staying in character all day on set to keep the gritty tone, even using a ski mask off-camera to hide his face and stay in the zone.
“Colin is a beautiful, empathic person,” said The Batman director Matt Reeves. “But playing Oz, it was like a kind of hell.”
In a recent Zoom interview from Dublin, Farrell discussed his deep dive into Oz’s psyche and his favorite scene, which highlights the complex relationship between Oz and his mother. This scene, where Oz finds his mother in a moment of dementia and wrestles with her request to end her life, shows a rare vulnerability in Oz’s otherwise ruthless character.
The show’s season finale saw Oz facing a betrayal from Sofia (Cristin Milioti), another character with whom he had a complex connection. Oz’s choice to betray her himself adds to his layered personality, demonstrating both his ruthlessness and the limitations of his loyalty.
Farrell’s thoughts on reprising the role in The Batman Part II are equally open-ended. He’s not entirely sure what his character will face, as he hasn’t yet read a script. However, he remains intrigued by how Oz’s voice and persona may evolve.