The Penguin’s Cristin Milioti Opens up About Fears of Being Fired on Set

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Summary

  • Cristin Milioti‘s role as Sofia Falcone wowed viewers, giving a fresh take on the comic book character.
  • The Penguin defied doubts about its success in the realm of comic book adaptations, garnering high praise.
  • Milioti confessed to initial fears of being fired, revealing her passion for playing a Batman villain.

There’s no denying that The Penguin was among the top shows in 2024, with its extraordinary success being attributed not just to Lauren LeFranc’s exceptional writing but also an impressive ensemble cast. While everyone initially focused on Colin Farell playing the seedy and criminal underworld kingpin, it was Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone who left viewers spellbound by breathing a captivating new life into her comic book character.

HBO’s series “The Penguin” is a spin-off from Matt Reeves’ 2022 film “The Batman,” focusing on the origin story of Oswald Cobb, the ruthless and menacing crime lord from DC Comics. Historically, comic book adaptations have faced challenges in finding success, with shows like “Ghost Rider,” “Blue Beetle,” and “Morbius” struggling to stay afloat. To everyone’s relief, “The Penguin” managed to break the curse despite initial doubts about its independence. Since its premiere in September 2024, the show has garnered numerous award nominations, widespread acclaim from both fans and critics, yet discussions about it often center around Milioti’s exceptional performance. Interestingly, it appears that the accomplished actress wasn’t as self-assured during filming.

Cristin Milioti Thought She’d Be Fired From The Penguin

During an interview with IndieWire, Cristin Milioti – known for her role as exceptional Sofia in HBO’s The Penguin – shared that she harbored concerns about being dismissed from the show. When asked about her apprehensions before joining the series, Milioti confessed that everything made her uneasy and she worried about appearing “poorly.” What might astonish fans of The Penguin, though, is that Milioti also had worries about getting fired and could only unwind once the show filmed a few episodes, since, as she put it, “it would be tough for them to let me go because they shot so much of it.

In most of my projects, I feel anxious until I know how much footage has been shot. Once I’m aware of that, I relax because it becomes difficult for them to dismiss me after shooting so much material. I often think they would have informed me if I were let go, but at the start, it’s always nerve-wracking. By the time we reached the 4th day, I felt more reassured and thought they probably wouldn’t let me go without informing me.

Milioti openly discussed her deep-seated affection for Batman since childhood, and her long-cherished ambition to portray a villain in the series. Despite acknowledging that Sofia commits heinous acts in The Penguin, she shares that she occasionally encounters women who express compassion towards Sofia’s storyline. “I’ve been approached by many women saying, ‘This part was so captivating,’ or therapeutic to watch her evolve, and I felt the same way. It’s remarkable.

Following the conclusion of The Penguin, similar to many enthusiasts, speculation arose about potential seasons to come. During this year’s Golden Globes on the red carpet, the showrunner Lauren LeFranc hinted that another installment might be on the horizon, suggesting that “there are definitely more stories to explore if we can uncover the right concept or characters.

The Penguin is currently streaming on Max.

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2025-01-07 23:23