Over the past few decades, DC has not had the best of luck when it comes to transforming their comic book classics to the big screen. However, ever since the 2022 release of The Batman, which featured Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader, it appears that new life has been breathed into the DCEU. In lieu of the film’s success came the release of the spinoff The Penguin, which is set right after the end of the 2022 film and follows mob underboss Oswald Cobb’s (Colin Farrell) plan to take over Gotham’s criminal underworld.
The miniseries, which has been hailed as one of the best shows of the year and is available on Showmax, features incredible performances from the entire cast. In the show’s 4th episode, the story shifts to Sofia Falcone’s (Cristin Milioti) origin story, showcasing her as “The Hangman.” Alongside Falcone is South African actress Marié Botha, who makes a memorable impact playing the villain Magpie in Arkham Asylum.
Magpie’s Arkham Asylum Story Soars With Marié Botha Brings Gotham’s Obscure Villain to Life in The Penguin
Magpie is one of the most obscure villains in the DC universe and if you’re not an avid comic book reader, then you’re sure to know little about the character. But that’s exactly what intrigued Botha when she got the role,
“The fact that Magpie is an obscure one gave me a lot of agencies to make her my own. I have so much respect and admiration for comic book fans, so there definitely was a part of me that got a little nervous about doing her justice in their eyes.” – Marié Botha
To better understand the character, Botha dove deep into Magpie’s history, even ordering all the Magpie comics she could find.
“The comic books helped me to piece together where she came from, what her history was, and how her past traumas and experiences shaped who she had become when I played her at the end of her life, in Arkham,” she explained.
As such, Botha was able to imagine the life Magpie might have led, and this exploration helped her to step onto set and find and freedom her work.
Nonetheless, playing an interesting character like Magpie did require Botha to ensure that her emotional and mental well-being wasn’t compromised,
“It is so important to use technique when you play darker characters because you can very easily get lost in the sauce,” she explained.
“There is the self-care aspect to making sure you reconnect with reality after the fact. Whether that is soaking in a warm bath, having a chat with your therapist, taking a long walk in the park, or watching a romantic comedy—whatever makes you feel at ease.”
The Arkham Gang
Regardless of how well versed you are in comic book lore, Arkham Asylum is one of the most famous places when it comes to media enthusiasts. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Arkham Asylum set became a major influence on Botha’s performance.
“It transported me,” she revealed,
“When I stepped onto the Arkham set, my mind was blown. It was recreated to look almost exactly like the Arkham you see at the end of The Batman. I totally geeked out. It was dark and grungy, and I had my own cell with a little bed and toilet—like I was actually in there.”
In addition to being behind bars at Arkham, Botha also got to work alongside Cristin Milioti, who plays Sofia Falcone. While their scenes were both physically and emotionally demanding, the pair made sure to have fun, whilst simultaneously admiring the other’s work ethic,
“Cristin is such a pro. I learned so much from her. She was calm and focused the entire time, and still found the time to chat about where we’d like the scene to go and how we’d like to elevate it or try different versions.”
An Episode (And Career) Highlight
Esquire hailed episode 4 as proof that The Penguin is one of the year’s best shows, adding that “Cristin Milioti went ahead and vaulted this series—and herself—into the Emmy conversation.”
IMDb echoed this assertion, with Episode 4 receiving the series’ best 9.6/10 rating – pushing The Penguin into the 100 top-rated series of all time.
With the episode’s success, Botha is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a highly acclaimed show,
“To be able to play a small part in such a colossal success has been the highlight of my career. It isn’t often that you get to be a part of something as esteemed as The Penguin,” she reflected.
Though brief, Botha hopes that her portrayal of Magpie resonates with fans, especially because she believes that the character has a soft side that hasn’t been explored,
“Mags has experienced a lot of cruelty in her life, and so she has had to become a rather troubled human being as a result. She has not been featured very extensively in film and television, and I’d like to advocate for her story to be properly told.”
As such, while her story in The Penguin does end abruptly, Botha does believe there’s potential for further exploration of the character.
“I think a spin-off could be very cool if done in the right way. I’d love to play out her earlier career as a villain, how she got there, the jewel heists she did, and her stint at the Gotham Museum of Antiquities. There is a treasure trove of things I’d like to look into when it comes to Magpie.”
From Magpie To The Moon
Despite her recent success, it hasn’t always been an easy journey for Botha. She admits that the biggest challenge in transitioning from South Africa to Hollywood has been maintaining self-belief during the quieter periods.
“It’s a tough industry all over the world,” she revealed. “Sometimes, when you aren’t working for long stretches of time, self-doubt can creep in. The most challenging thing for me is to keep my chin up during those lower moments.”
Nonetheless, with The Penguin propelling her into the spotlight, this is just the beginning for Botha, and we can expect to see much more of this talented actress in the future.
“I’m so lucky that the DC Universe has such a loyal, built-in fanbase. The response has been so flattering and exciting. I’m ready to take on more roles and work with more fantastic artists.”
Additionally, with her recent success, Botha has advice for other thespians who are hoping to follow in her footsteps,
“You never know when you’ll get lucky. This is a long game you have chosen. Keep finding ways to add to who you are as an artist, as a person. When that moment comes for you, the world will be curious about who you are, and you’ll be able to show them something interesting.”
Watch The Penguin
You can watch The Penguin on Showmax and M-Net, with new episodes every Monday here.
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