The debut season of Fox’s Gotham certainly wasn’t shy in introducing key members of the Caped Crusader’s rogues gallery. In just the show’s first year, fans have already met young versions of iconic Batman villains like the Penguin, the Riddler and Two-Face.
However, the most intriguing appearance was that of a troubled young man named Jerome (as played by Cameron Monaghan) in episode 16, titled “The Blind Fortune Teller”. The character was largely promoted as the introduction of the show’s Joker storyline, though it has remained unclear if Jerome is actually the man who will turn into the Clown Prince of Crime or if he is simply connected to him in some other way.
Now Just Jared has shared set photos that may confirm Monaghan is playing the Joker. In the photos, he’s seen wearing a straight jacket and reportedly pouring gasoline onto a school bus full of schoolchildren. Gotham co-stars Ben McKenzie and Erin Richards (Barbara Kean) are also pictured, as the former looks to be dealing with the latest disaster to hit Gotham.
Click HERE for the full collection of Gotham set photos.
As if the trouble Monaghan’s character is causing in the set photos wasn’t enough to convince fans that he is playing the Joker, the actor’s latest Instagram post certainly seems to confirm just how important his role is to the show’s future.
Here’s the photo he shared:
#Gotham A photo posted by Cameron Monaghan (@cameronmonaghan) on Jul 8, 2015 at 3:15pm PDT
Despite Monaghan’s Instagram post, it’s possible that all the Joker talk surrounding Jerome could be misdirection on the part of Gotham showrunners. Naturally, the actor would love the chance to bring arguably the greatest comic book villain of all time to life on the small screen. However, the team behind Gotham may have something else in mind for the show’s long-term plans.
That being said, all signs at this point indicate the plan is for Jerome to evolve into the Joker. Everything about his first appearance on the show – from his murderous rage to his maniacal laugh – seemed tailor-made for Joker. These new set photos definitely imply that Jerome escaped from whatever mental health facility he was held in (likely, Arkham Asylum) and is back out in the world causing chaos. Even the simple fact that he is attacking a school bus calls to mind the opening bank heist from The Dark Knight that introduced Heath Ledger’s take on the Joker.
We’ve known for a while that Gotham fans would be getting more on the Joker storyline early this season. Are you convinced that Jerome is the Joker, Screen Ranters, or do you think the show has a major twist up its sleeve? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Gotham returns to Fox for season 2 on September 21, 2015.
