Why Sofia Falcone Deserves Her Own Spinoff from The Penguin

Warning: this article contains a few spoilers for The Penguin. Proceed with caution if you haven’t seen it yet!

Now that we’re looking back at this year’s standout TV series, The Penguin easily earns its spot among the best. And it is already racking up the award nominations.

The show, a spinoff of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), offered a grim yet mesmerising dive into Gotham’s criminal underbelly, spearheaded by Colin Farrell’s jaw-dropping portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot.

But let’s talk about the character who truly stole the show, for me anyway: Sofia Falcone.

Cristin Milioti’s layered and haunting performance as Sofia not only cemented her as the series’ most compelling figure but also made a solid case for her own spinoff.

If you’ve seen The Penguin, you’ll know exactly what I mean—and if not, trust me, you’re missing out.

I advise you to binge-watch the entire season this Christmas and revel in the magnificence that is The Penguin.

The Penguin: More Than a Batman Side Story

Before we dive into Sofia’s brilliance, let’s take a moment to appreciate The Penguin as a whole.

Farrell’s transformation into Oswald Cobblepot (Oz Cobb in this TV adaptation) was nothing short of astonishing. I’m still baffled by how unrecognisable he is under layers of prosthetics and that thick Gotham accent.

Farrell disappears so completely into the role that you forget this is the same actor from In Bruges or The Banshees of Inisherin.

His Penguin is both pathetic and terrifying, a man whose “mommy issues” and hunger for power drive him to monstrous acts.

Farrell commands every scene he’s in, from orchestrating betrayals that would make Michael Corleone blush to his rather disturbing dynamic with his mother.

Oz’s rise to power is the series’ focal point, but the real magic lies in its ensemble cast, with Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone emerging as the true dark horse.

The Intrigue of Sofia Falcone

Sofia Falcone’s character is a cocktail of rage, resilience, and tragedy.

From her very first appearance, she commands attention. In a recent IMDb interview, Cristin Milioti revealed she worked with a movement coach to refine how Sofia carried herself.

That effort shines through—her posture and presence radiate an understated yet palpable intimidation.

Her backstory, which unfolds in Episode 4, is harrowing. Framed by her own father Carmine for his murders, Sofia’s life has been shaped by abuse and betrayal.

Yet just as you start sympathising with her, she turns around and poisons an entire room of relatives with ice-cold precision.

The ambiguity in Sofia’s character—is she a victim pushed to extremes, or a killer following in her father’s footsteps? This is one of the reasons why she is so fascinating.

Unlike Oz, whose villain arc feels inevitable, Sofia’s trajectory is a wild card. Her struggle to escape her family’s shadow and carve out her own path is both relatable and repellent.

Milioti’s performance is nothing short of mesmerising. Whether you loved her as Sarah in Palm Springs or Nanette in Black Mirror’s USS Callister, she’s proven her talent for portraying complex, morally ambiguous characters.

But as Sofia, she’s operating on a whole new level—ruthless and heartbreakingly human.

One moment, she’s clawing at her neck in a nightmare, haunted by her past; the next, she’s radiating cold fury as she manipulates everyone around her.

Sofia Falcone’s Style Evolution

Sofia’s transformation throughout the season is mirrored in her evolving style. Before her time in Arkham, she exudes a sense of innocence, dressed in soft, elegant outfits that belie the darkness of her family legacy.

These earlier looks, with their polished and refined details, create an image of someone striving to appear untouched by the chaos around her.

However, once she emerges from Arkham, her style takes a sharp turn. Sofia adopts darker, edgier ensembles—tailored suits and severe silhouettes that reflect her hardened demeanour and growing authority.

As she ascends to boss status, her wardrobe becomes a statement of power, with bold cuts (yes, that includes her hair) and colours that demand respect ( a lot of black and red).

It’s a visual journey that perfectly encapsulates her character’s shift from someone trying to escape her past to someone fully embracing her role in Gotham’s underworld.

Why Sofia Deserves a Spinoff

Sofia’s story doesn’t feel complete. That final scene in Arkham, where she receives a mysterious letter from her half-sister Selina Kyle, practically screams for a follow-up.

What happens to Sofia after her downfall? Does she find redemption, or does she spiral further into darkness? These questions beg to be explored in a Sofia-centric series.

Sofia is a character who thrives in moral ambiguity. She’s not a hero, nor is she a straightforward villain.

She’s capable of horrific violence, yet moments of vulnerability make us root for her survival.

This duality sets her apart from other Gotham villains and makes her ripe for further exploration.

The Potential of a Sofia Falcone Series

A spinoff centred on Sofia could carve out its own niche in Gotham’s gritty universe.

Imagine a show that blends psychological drama with mob intrigue, focusing on Sofia’s attempts to rebuild her life—or her empire—after the events of The Penguin.

It could delve deeper into her time in Arkham, her interactions with other iconic Batman villains, and her complex relationship with Selina Kyle.

The possibilities are endless. Sofia’s character could explore corners of Gotham we haven’t seen before, especially through the lens of someone who’s experienced both extreme privilege and brutal institutionalisation.

A series that marries Sofia’s personal journey with Gotham’s chaotic backdrop has all the makings of must-watch, award-winning television.

A Plea to DC and HBO

I’ll admit it—I was rooting for Sofia by the end. Not because she’s a good person (she’s definitely not), but because Milioti made me care about this deeply damaged woman trying to carve out her own identity in a world that wanted to erase her.

The fact that Oz ultimately sends her back to Arkham feels almost crueller than killing her outright.

Sofia Falcone deserves more screen time not just because she’s a compelling character, but because her story touches on themes that resonate far beyond the comic book genre.

Mental health, familial abuse, institutional trauma—these elements feel particularly relevant in 2024.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to see more of Milioti’s phenomenal performance?

She’s already proven she can carry complex, genre-bending stories. Give her eight episodes to really dig into Sofia’s psyche, and we might just get the most fascinating Batman-adjacent character study yet.

The future of DC’s epic crime saga needs strong, character-driven stories like The Penguin.

A Sofia Falcone spinoff wouldn’t just be entertaining—it would be a chance to examine how monsters are made, and whether they can ever truly change.

As someone who was left feeling dismayed, shocked and rather bereft at The Penguin’s ending (if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean on many levels), I can’t help but feel that Sofia’s story deserves more.

DC has a gem in Sofia Falcone, and Cristin Milioti’s performance has already laid the groundwork for something extraordinary.

In a year where The Penguin has shown us what DC storytelling can achieve, a Sofia spinoff feels like the natural next step.

So, please give us more Sofia Falcone. Let her rise, fall, and rise again. Gotham deserves it. We deserve it.

Watch The Penguin on Sky Atlantic.