Gotham Casts Game of Thrones Alum Alexander Siddig as Ra's al Ghul

Gotham appeared to lose its biggest villain in the winter finale, when the Riddler vs Penguin [...]

By ComicBook.com Staff - March 2, 2017 01:29 pm EST

Gotham appeared to lose its biggest villain in the winter finale, when the Riddler vs Penguin battle came to a dramatic close. But a villain of epic proportions is coming to town, as one of Batman's most cunning foes, Ra's al Ghul, joins the cast in the final eight episode run of the season that airs this spring. Alexander Siddig, a well-liked TV actor from Game of Thrones, Da Vinci's Demons, Atlantis, 24, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and more will step into the role of the nigh-immortal villain who in the comics seeks to make Bruce Wayne his heir as he controls the world from the shadows.

The role is a recurring one that will start later this season, and Ra's will be seen as "pulling the strings" of everything going on in Gotham City, including the actions of the Court of Owls and other villains. To say it's a big undertaking is an understatement. Interestingly, Siddig will be the first Arab man to play this character of Arabian origins.

Typically in the comics, Ra's al Ghul comes into Bruce Wayne's life after he's become Batman, but that was changed in Batman Begins when he became one of Bruce's primary instructors, helping him to become the vigilante. We may see even more of a mentorship role between Ra's and the young Bruce Wayne on Gotham played by David Mazouz. Gotham is using the "League of Shadows" instead of "League of Assassins" in the series - the former has been used exclusively in the big screen "Dark Knight Trilogy," while the latter was the comic book original name of his organization, and was brought to live action on the CW.

The character has appeared in several media besides comics, most recently as a character on Arrow.

The official character description from Gotham's producers follows:

RA'S AL GHUL

As Bruce (David Mazouz) pulls the veil off the COURT OF OWLS, he finds the man pulling the strings is the enigmatic and powerful RA'S AL GHUL. With his past shrouded in mystery, Ra's Al Ghul uses cunning and deception to lay waste to his foes. As the leader of an international criminal organization known as the LEAGUE OF SHADOWS, Ra's Al Ghul will prove himself to be Bruce's most dangerous adversary yet.

Gotham returns to FOX Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m. for the final eight episodes of the third season. No official season four pick-up has been announced yet for the series.

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