Oswald Cobblepot (born Kapelput), also known as The Penguin, is a character and the main antagonist of the FOX television series Gotham, portrayed by Robin Lord Taylor. Based on the DC Comics supervillain of the same name, he was adapted by showrunner Bruno Heller for the series, which is intended to explore the origin stories of characters from the Batman mythos. Introduced in the first season, Cobblepot is depicted as an intelligent low-level thug who aspires to become a leading crime lord in Gotham City. The series explores his rise to power and the challenges he faces in achieving this goal. Taylor's performance has been well received by critics and fans throughout the series' run, and the Penguin has been considered the show's breakout character. Development Gotham marks the third live-action portrayal of the Penguin. Burgess Meredith and Danny DeVito previously portrayed the character in the 1960s Batman television series and in Tim Burton's 1992 film Batman Returns, respectively. Robin Lord Taylor took inspiration from Danny DeVito's interpretation for his portrayal. Fictional character biography Oswald Cobblepot is a cunning, ruthless criminal who wants to rule Gotham's criminal underworld, and is willing – and often eager – to kill anyone who stands in his way. Nevertheless, he is patient, methodical and Machiavellian, using his sharp intellect to concoct intricate plans in which his every move is premeditated toward achieving a given end. His last name is an anglicization of "Kapelput"; his mother, Gertrud Kapelput (Carol Kane), is an immigrant from Austria-Hungary. He is very close to his mother, whom he considers the only person in the world who loves him. This is the first version of the character who is LGBT; he has complicated romantic feelings for fellow criminal and best friend Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith). Taylor, who is gay, has said that he does not consider the character to be explicitly homosexual or bisexual, and that Cobblepot's feelings for Nygma constitute "a romantic, yearning need to connect with somebody" rather than strictly sexual interest. Taylor has further stated he does not personally view Cobblepot as a representative for any sexual identity. Season 1 Cobblepot starts out as a small-time criminal working for mobster Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith). After Mooney discovers that Cobblepot is an informant for the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD), she hobbles him by breaking his ankle, giving him a waddle-like limp that befits his hated