In the upcoming series The Penguin, fans of Gotham will encounter some familiar faces, including Magpie. Played by Marié Botha, this intriguing villain’s dynamic with Sofia Falcone, portrayed by Cristin Milioti, unfolds in Arkham. Botha shared insights about her creative influences while bringing this character to life.
Portraying a comic book character comes with the challenge of navigating extensive backstories and character arcs. As a well-known villain, Magpie boasts a rich history in many comic series. However, Botha was cautious not to rely too much on previous interpretations that may not align with the show’s direction. In Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham, the narrative is more grounded, which is also reflected in the depiction of its superheroes and villains.
Under Lauren LeFranc’s guidance, The Penguin offers a fresh view of Gotham, focusing on its inhabitants’ experiences, particularly the villains. Magpie’s characterization is fascinating as she appears during her post-criminal life, already confined in Arkham, limiting her screen time. Despite this, Botha immersed herself in the comics to explore her role further.
“I’m pleased you asked that,” Botha responded when discussing her comic research. “Upon landing the role, I dived right into the comics.” She elaborated on how her study of Magpie influenced her portrayal. “We’re introduced to her after she’s entered Arkham, grappling with her past of vigilante actions. My challenge was to distill the comic references into the limited scenes I have in The Penguin. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring her comics, examining the elaborate costumes, while also humorously acknowledging that I had to swap out those flashy looks for a prison ensemble,” she shared.
Creating a Backstory
Magpie bears a noticeable scar on her face, a significant detail that Botha highlighted. She expressed gratitude towards Helen Shaver, the director, for contributing to the depth of her character’s background. “Helena played an essential role in shaping Magpie’s story within the interconnected narrative of Matt Reeves’ universe, exploring her scar’s origins and its impact on her transformation into the person she is,” Botha explained.
Extensive efforts went into detailing Magpie’s journey to Arkham. “We enriched her backstory with layers of childhood trauma,” articulated Botha, referencing a particular moment in her first scene with Sofia where she discusses her stepmother.
“We crafted a narrative where her stepmother emerged as a deeply damaging figure, perhaps inflicting severe harm on her during childhood. I drew from that experience to mentally embody the character while integrating the comic influences. Collaborating closely with a skilled director like Helen and engaging with a strong script made it seamless to channel my foundational work into the scenes,” she noted, reflecting on her process.
The Significance of Sofia and Magpie’s Connection
The narrative arc of Magpie intertwines significantly with that of Sofia Falcone during her time in Arkham. This relationship proves pivotal for both characters, and Botha expressed how effortless it was to collaborate with Milioti.
“Cristin was completely in tune with her role, presenting a multi-faceted, compellingly dark character that she had developed,” Botha remarked. “One of my favorite parts was drawing from the comics, especially in the initial scene, as Magpie has an obsession with shiny objects. In that moment next to her in the cells, I perceived her as the shiny thing I craved, having been surrounded by darkness in prison for so long without that allure.”
Towards the end of our conversation, I couldn’t resist asking Botha what her dream Magpie series would mirror. She quickly replied, “Girl, Interrupted.” Catch her full discussion on The Penguin and let’s hope for a prequel series to grace our screens!
Tune in to watch Botha in The Penguin, and perhaps if fan demand is high enough, we’ll see her star in a dedicated series. For me, that would be fantastic!
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