Cristin Milioti, the acclaimed actress known for her roles in shows like “The Sopranos,” “Once,” and “How I Met Your Mother,” is bringing her talents to the DC universe. In the critically acclaimed HBO Max series “The Penguin,” Milioti plays the powerful mob boss Sofia, who has a complex relationship with the titular villain.
The eight-episode series, which is a spin-off of 2022’s “The Batman,” follows Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot (played by Colin Farrell) as he battles other crime lords, including Sofia, for control of Gotham City’s underworld.
“Their dynamic is so complicated because they know each other so well,” Milioti recently told UPI in a roundtable interview at New York Comic Con. “It’s not just their extensive history, but also their innate understanding of each other.” They look dissimilar, and they’ve had such different backgrounds.”
Milioti explained that, despite their outward differences, Sofia and Oswald share a number of crucial similarities. “They are both two people who have been underestimated and overlooked for such a long time, and I think that they’re also both extremely smart, and because she knew him before [she inherited power from her dead father and brother], she can see right through him, and I think she also can smell bullshit a mile away. And he’s excellent at spinning.”
These complex elements create a “cat and mouse thing” that is just as fascinating for Milioti to perform as it is for viewers to watch. “They genuinely understand each other and, at one point, really care about each other, which I think also complicates things,” she continued.
The actress described having a fierce character to play and a wonderful story to tell as “endlessly rewarding.” “I’m such a big Batman fan and have dreamed of being a villain since I was a kid, so that was already rewarding in its own way, but you never know how something that you’re part of will turn out,” she said.
Despite her excitement, Milioti admitted she was nervous about what the enormous and vocal DC Comics fan base would think of the show. “There’s always been the terror of how the world will receive it,” she said. “I have made a concerted effort to maintain my expectations at a minimum, as I am a fan of this program.” To see the reception has been mind-blowing.”
With its complex characters, gritty atmosphere, and high-stakes drama, “The Penguin” is quickly becoming a must-watch for fans of the DC universe and crime dramas alike. And at the heart of it all is Cristin Milioti’s captivating performance as the cunning and formidable mob boss, Sofia.