Warning: contains spoilers forGothamseason 1.
Are you in England?
Ad content continues below
Oh no, no, Im in New York!
We started shooting last Monday!
Were halfway through the first episode, which is quite phenomenal.
Weve just read two and three, which are just phenomenally good.
So, were very confident, should we say.
What can you tell us about whats been going on so far?
Or is it strictly under wraps?
Fish has taken a swanny over the bridge.
Um, and you know that something is discovered behind the fireplace.
So, it really is that discovery that leads to the change with our relationship.
Specifically when they discover whats in there.
You start to see much more of a direction in Bruces angst.
Youll see more in this season the descent to chaos and anarchy.
They will be, as Penguin said, rivers of blood in the street.
So, this series is why Im so excited.
Its about Gotham burning, it really gets dark, and it gets to an extremely dangerous place.
There was some semblance of reality, because it was run by organised criminals, but its not anymore.
The wheels have fallen off.
And, um, its going to be a bumpy ride.
A bumpy flight down, you know?
Changing tack a little, how did you first approach Alfred when you took the role on?
Your take is quite different to the ones weve seen before.
Well, the whole process was strange.
I was given this….
I was here doingElementaryat the time, and I was given this…
I got a phone call saying to go over to Warners, I said whats it for?
and they said no-one knew what it was for.
And I said what is this?, and they said itsGotham!
Its a prequel to Batman.
So, then, I saw the scripts.
And I saw… the idea of his military background was evident.
Because this is a series calledGotham, and its about moulding.
How could we mould these characters to become who they later become?
We all know where they end up, but the interesting thing is to see how they get there.
That was the initial idea, the only one that is totally trustworthy.
The only one who his father can completely trust, before hes assassinated, is this wily old butler.
Um, whos not a butler!
So, he himself, as you later discover, is traumatised himself.
Let alone if you were just his guardian.
And that was the fun element of it we had to find the truth.
It just so happened to be violence.
In a way, a respectful violence, about dignity, and about knowledge.
So thats our… our approach, our enabler.
How would he enable him?
How would he influence him?
So, their relationship is changing.
And of the course, all the good stuff that goes with it.
The arguments, the breaking of the voice, the breaking of furniture!
All of these things are included, because thats what it is.
Hes moulded him self into being a superhero, in the correct sense of the term.
He actually becomes a remarkable educated and focussed individual.
And whats it been like working with David from such a young age?
Without a doubt, hes become a second son.
He is the most consummate professional Ive ever worked with.
We have a… Im so lucky to be working with a person of his stature and skill.
We did some scenes the other day that were just mind-blowing.
Hes a young guy, but hes an old pro.
Hes been working since he was very young, and hes a consummate professional.
Hes nothing but a joy, and Im honoured to work with him every day.
What would you like to do with Alfred in season 2?
Would you like to reveal more of his past?
Were going to see them going forward together, I think.
Youre going to see a lot more of that.
Youre going to see the training of Bruce.
Youre going to see their relationship change.
Because, their relationship has to change.
It has to change, they have to find out…
They have to find a medium.
Because, ever since Alfred got stabbed, he questions his own mortality.
He suddenly realises that its very important for him to be around.
And also, therell be more of a sense of training.
Theyll be more unified, theyll start to come together more.
To start to be more active and investigative.
Hell need to develop a facade, which Alfred, of course, helps him with.
You know, the art of concealment, which is something the S.A.S.
And have the showrunners given you any indication of how long this on-screen relationship might be going on for?
Are you tempted to hold anything back in your performance for later seasons?
No… And this is the great thing about the show.
This season we know the arc.
Last season, we were slightly wrong-footed in a way.
And not in a bad way, it was a bloody honour.
But we were given six more episodes halfway through the season.
So, that put the cat among the pigeons slightly.
Also, it was much more like standalone episodes.
But the ones that we always thought worked were the slow burners.
And its going to be much more of progressive drama now.
So, well see.
Like I said, we shoot chronologically, so their relationships developed chronologically.
Although I know what the arc is, in this season, I dont know whats in it.
Thats the other great thing about this show.
I saw your picture on Twitter of your Alfred mixed with your fathersDoctor Who
That wasnt me!
It was someone… Ive got to find who actually posted that.
Like all, sort of, older people.
I just dont quite understand that stuff.
It was some brilliant guy who put my dads hair on my head!
And it even fooled my mum!
It was extraordinary, it went all over the place [laughs].
Ive really grown into his nose.
What was it like seeing the fan reaction to that, and to yourHalloween costumelast year?
Oh, you know, they thought it was hilarious.
But you know, they know me, they know what I look like.
So, its funny though, the older I get, I do look more like him.
But, um, the one thing I do have is the real sense of love.
They find that an attractive notion, and I think thats the thing with Alfred.
And I think people see that.
That sense of loyalty, everyone hopes, exists.
And, um, that, I think, is probably the only one.
And just finally, with all thoseDoctor Whofans messaging you, have you ever thought about joining the show?
Has that ever been discussed?
Ive never been asked.
You know, I think my father probably would have a heart attack from laughing so much.
The notion of me playing him, I think hed find that triflingly amusing.
Listen: very large shoes to fill, thats all Im going to say.
And Im considered the action Alfred.
Thats a similarity there.
A family of action!
Yeah, a family of action there you go!
Sean Pertwee, thank you very much!
Gotham Season One is out on Blu-ray and DVD on 5thOctober.
Season Two is coming soon.
