Cristin Milioti’s Gotham Glow-Up: From Catwoman Costumes to Wreaking Havoc as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin
Cristin Milioti, a lifelong Batman fan, has been waiting for her chance to play in Gotham’s gritty, villainous playground, and she’s finally getting it in HBO’s The Penguin. Starring as Sofia Falcone, daughter of the infamous mob boss Carmine Falcone, Milioti brings a wicked sense of humor and unpredictable energy to the role, making Sofia one of the most fascinating characters in Gotham’s criminal underworld.
From Bat-Obsessed Kid to Gotham’s Newest Queenpin
Milioti’s love affair with Gotham started early. In her childhood, she made her dad take her to see Batman Forever six times. But while most kids wanted to be the caped crusader, Milioti had her sights set on the villains. “I wanted to be the Riddler,” she admits, revealing her preference for playing the darker, more mischievous characters. Her lifelong passion for Batman’s rogues gallery made stepping into the shoes of Sofia Falcone a dream come true. “I’ve seen every Batman movie,” Milioti gushes, “and being part of this world has been my lifelong dream.”
Sofia Falcone: The Dark Horse of Gotham’s Underworld
In The Penguin, Sofia is a mix of calculated danger and biting humor, and Milioti is reveling in it. “She’s unpredictable, cold, and completely unhinged at times,” Milioti explains. But what makes Sofia stand out isn’t just her dangerous side—it’s her sharp wit. Milioti loves finding moments of dark humor in Sofia, which she credits to the show’s incredible writing by showrunner Lauren LeFranc. “We found little moments of wicked humor,” Milioti says, “and then we expanded on that.”
Music and Mayhem: Milioti’s Secret Sauce
To prepare for Sofia’s mobster mayhem, Milioti didn’t just hit the script—she hit the playlist. Rosalía, SZA, and Lana Del Rey were her go-to artists for channeling Sofia’s fierce, rebellious energy. “Music is a big part of how I find a character,” she says, and it’s easy to see the connection between Sofia’s fiery personality and those artists’ bold vibes. With their music blaring, Milioti fully embodied the role, from the glamorous fur coats to chain-smashing, cigarette-smoking moments that scream, “I own this city.”
Speaking of cigarettes, one standout scene has Sofia lighting up three at once, exuding the kind of gangster cool only Sofia could pull off. But it wasn’t as easy as it looked. “I practiced for a week,” Milioti admits with a laugh. “You can’t be standing there in that fabulous outfit and not get it right.”
What’s Next for Sofia? The Sky’s the Limit
With The Penguin shaping up to be a gritty, compelling look at Gotham’s underworld, it’s clear that Sofia Falcone’s story is just getting started. Milioti is thrilled about the possibilities, especially the chance to continue wrecking things—while looking fabulous, of course. “Putting on a giant fur coat and smashing things? Who wouldn’t love that?”
Whether she’s flipping tables or lighting up a room (literally), Milioti’s Sofia Falcone is a force to be reckoned with, and Gotham may never be the same.
