Holy full-season order, Batman! Having been impressed with the show’s ratings hitherto, FOX has announced half a dozen more episodes of Gotham to bring the inaugural first season up to a full twenty-two episodes.
Previously, the DC-inspired serial was granted a sixteen episode stint back when FOX first ordered it straight to series late last year. In terms of the network’s roster, Gotham is now the first show to be awarded with full-season order, with Red Band Society and Mulaney struggling to make the same impact as Jim Gordon & Co.
In tandem with the announcement, FOX’s CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman spoke highly of the origin tale.
“Gotham debuted as one of the most buzzed-about shows of the fall, and with good reason. Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon have created an incredibly rich world, with characters that draw you in and a cast that brings to life these heroes and villains in a way we’ve never seen before. We are so excited to see where Bruno, Danny and the entire Gotham team take this story over the course of this season, and so thankful to all the fans who have embraced it this fall.”
Gotham is now neck-and-neck with fellow Monday night drama How To Get Away With Murder, particularly in that coveted 18-49 demographic. Mind you, the show represents the highest-rated fall debut for any FOX serial for 14 years.
We’re now four episodes into the network’s Batman-infused procedural and there’s no doubting the show’s remarkable production values. However, the jury’s still out on whether the creative team, rather than leaning on Easter Eggs as a crutch, can map out an intriguing drama with Detective Jim Gordon at the core as he continues in his plight to solve the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Gotham will return with its fifth episode, Viper, on October 20th.
