As a gamer who grew up binge-watching Gotham since its debut in 2014, I can’t help but feel a tad nostalgic as I reflect on the series finale that aired in 2019. The absence of Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle was noticeable, but not necessarily disheartening.
In the final episode of “Gotham” that aired on April 25, 2019, David Mazouz’s portrayal of Batman was finally revealed to the audience. However, when it came to the main cast, a familiar face was noticeably absent. Although Selina Kyle made an appearance in the series finale titled “The Beginning…”, she was played by Lili Simmons instead of Camren Bicondova, who had been with “Gotham” since its debut in 2014. Interestingly, this change didn’t faze Camren Bicondova at all; in fact, she welcomed it.
Camren Bicondova was one of several gifted actors from the TV show “Gotham” whom IGN interviewed as part of their oral history celebrating the program’s 10-year anniversary. In the segment focusing on the series finale, the actress expressed her reasons for being content with not portraying Selina in the episode set a decade after the primary events, saying:
In the fifth season, I was informed that my character wouldn’t be part of it. By then, I had already planned a move across the country. However, plans changed later on, which left me pondering and praying about it. I had invested everything into my role at that point, and the storyline was coming to an end. Even now, I have no regrets about it.
The opening scenes… revealed the current situations of Gotham’s key figures when Bruce Wayne, after a ten-year globe-trotting adventure, came back to Gotham City. In Selina Kyle’s circumstances, her first appearance was attempting to snatch the Russifer Diamond from the Gotham Museum of Antiquities, though she quickly noticed someone observing her and figured it was Bruce. Later on, Selina assisted Barbara Kean in capturing Edward Nygma, also known as The Riddler, and subsequently, she and Bruce shared a fleeting reunion, but during their dialogue, she avoided looking at him.
In an interview with IGN, producer John Stephens shared that Camren Bicondova was uneasy about portraying a 28-year-old version of herself, which he acknowledged. Fortunately for the Gotham production team, Lili Simmons caught their attention, as Stephens recognized her from Bone Tomahawk and saw striking resemblance to Bicondova. Eventually, the two actresses met to talk about playing the older Selina. In Bicondova’s words: “I didn’t feel comfortable playing myself at 28, but we found a great match in Lili Simmons.
Lili did an exceptional job, and passing the torch to someone else for a chance at playing Selena was something I no longer hesitate about. It allowed me to spend time with her, and we had countless hours in her hotel room. I shared my personal journal entries as Selena, and showed her significant scenes that were vital for her development as Selena. Some may not share this viewpoint, but I am unapologetic, for I believe what transpired was meant to be, and I must uphold my decisions. I’m thankful for the effort I put forth, which is why I don’t regret my actions because I know I gave it my all. This choice feels right because I poured everything into it.
In the end, David Mazouz’s character Bruce transformed into Gotham City’s Dark Knight, but the version of Selina Kyle we saw never officially became Catwoman on the show, despite hints at her costumed identity throughout the series, such as her use of goggles and learning to wield a whip. However, after disobeying Bruce’s command to return the Russifer Diamond, it seems she is edging closer to embodying her alter ego. This development might mark a new phase in their cat-and-mouse relationship, rather than turning Selina into a simple villain. Interestingly, she could potentially aid in dealing with other dangers, like the reemergence of Jeremiah Valeska, who serves as a sort of antagonist to Bruce, similar to the Joker in the original narrative.
With a Max subscription, you can stream Gotham. This same subscription also allows you to catch new episodes of The Penguin after they’ve been broadcast on HBO. In the future, The Batman: Part II is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026. The DC Universe franchise will introduce a new Batman in the upcoming Andy Muschietti-directed movie titled The Brave and the Bold.
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2024-10-05 04:37