Gotham: Cory Michael Smith Talks Nygma’s Evil Turn

We all know it’s coming. Eventually, quirky, riddle-obsessed Edward Nygma (played by Cory Michael Smith) will turn into the classic Batman villain the Riddler. Cory Michael Smith talked with Yahoo TV about what will lead him down this dark path.

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Cory Michael Smith compared the trajectory of his character and another famous villain on Gotham who pretty much has been evil from the start of the show, The Penguin:

"[The Penguin] and I could not have more different trajectories. Cobblepot is “a very sadistic bully” from the beginning. Ed, by contrast, is “way, way out in left field,” just “hanging out, doing his job, loving his work, loving science, having a good time, getting a little weird, being a little off the wall, a little eccentric.” He’s not really a bad guy — in fact, he’s really more of an overgrown boy. [His journey is to] claim his identity and claim his power and perhaps finally become someone that is a player in the field and not just this irritating, flimsy young lad."

Cory Michael Smith does tease that a lot of his turn has to do with rejection by a certain Miss Kringle, but also just rejection in general.

"It’s really lovely to have her back in the story. She’s certainly a major part of the future of Edward’s evolution. As more things happen to him, I think his joy will start to lessen and be redirected to the point where eventually all his joy comes from causing havoc. There has to be joy that is lost in him finding this evil nature."

Check out Cory Michael’s Smith slow descent into evil on Gotham Mondays on Fox!

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