Casey Bloys, the chairman and CEO of HBO, expressed surprise that Colin Farrell did not win an Emmy for his role in The Penguin. Despite being considered a strong contender for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Farrell lost to Stephen Graham for his performance in Adolescence.
Farrell’s Role and Transformation in The Penguin
Colin Farrell reprised his role as Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb from The Batman, portraying a low-level crime boss with ambitions to dominate Gotham’s underworld. Across the eight episodes of the highly praised HBO miniseries, Farrell’s character evolved from a seemingly meek figure into a ruthless and hardened killer shaped by a troubled past, revealed through flashbacks that highlighted his deep childhood trauma.
Farrell’s Involvement in Upcoming Batman Sequel
Farrell is confirmed to return as the Penguin in The Batman 2, although his screen time is expected to be limited. In an interview, he commented,
“I haven’t got much to do on it, just a little bit,”
while also praising the script as “extraordinary.” Directed by Matt Reeves, the sequel is scheduled for release on October 1, 2027, but Farrell’s character will not take center stage in the film.
Changes in Cast from The Penguin to The Batman 2
While Farrell returns, Cristin Milioti, who portrayed the crime boss Sofia Falcone in The Penguin, will not be part of the sequel. Director Matt Reeves explained that her absence was due to the script already being significantly developed during the production of the TV show.
Implications and Future Prospects for the Franchise
The Colin Farrell Emmy snub highlights the unpredictable nature of award shows, according to Bloys, who remarked,
“I was surprised that Colin [didn’t win] – he’s a great guy, I was a little surprised, but that’s awards shows, it’s unpredictable.”
While Farrell did not receive the Emmy recognition, his portrayal has been widely praised and his return in The Batman 2 suggests continued investment in the character within the DC universe.
All of my burning #Batman questions? @mattreevesLA answered ‘em – from #CristinMilioti’s future in the franchise to additional seasons of #ThePenguin.
📍: #Emmys with @joshuahorowitz pic.twitter.com/EFR5bwuawt
— MTV (@MTV) September 15, 2025
