The rich world of Gotham was full of twists, betrayals, and iconic character arcs, but some major DC storylines were planned and never made it to screen. Gotham proffered a thrilling glimpse into James Gordon’s early days in the Gotham City Police Department, offering origin stories for several classic characters and narratives from the DCU timeline. However, there were several planned storylines that were dropped from the show, despite being planned or pitched.
Gotham, the TV series that delved into the origins of Batman’s mythos, aired for five seasons from 2014 to 2019. While it enjoyed a dedicated audience, the show faced challenges, including its fifth and final season being cut short. Originally intended to span a full 22 episodes, the last season was compressed into just 12, forcing showrunners to condense or abandon various storylines. Beyond this, some plotlines were scrapped because of viewer reactions, character popularity, or evolving creative decisions.
10
Barbara Kean Becomes Harley Quinn And Magpie
In The Comics, Barbara Isn’t A Villain At All
At different points in Gotham’s development, the showrunners considered transforming Barbara Kean into two iconic DC characters: Harley Quinn and Magpie. This idea was meant to reflect her growing instability and descent into madness, echoing Harley's origins in the comics. However, this storyline was ultimately discarded, as showrunner John Stephens explained that the show’s version of Harley needed to be a "different kind of crazy," and Barbara’s existing arc already provided plenty of dramatic tension.
From bazookas to zombies, Gotham brought all of the unhinged chaos of the Batman mythos to the small screen like no other DC series has.
Later, another concept emerged where Barbara would become Magpie, a jewel thief with an obsession for shiny objects. While this would have tied into her extravagant personality and criminal ambitions, Stephens later referred to this idea as "a terrible idea," admitting he wasn’t sure why they even considered it. Ultimately, Barbara’s trajectory focused on her evolution into a powerful crime boss, while someone else ultimately appeared as Magpie in the series.
9
Jerome Valeska Dies
Jerome Valeska Wasn’t Supposed To Have Such A Big Role In Gotham
Jerome Valeska, portrayed by Cameron Monaghan, quickly became a fan favorite and a pivotal figure in Gotham’s Joker-inspired storyline. However, Monaghan revealed that Jerome was initially set to die during the third season’s episode "Mad City: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies." According to Monaghan, Jerome’s death was supposed to be definitive – he was to be beheaded, ending his reign of chaos and cementing his arc as a cautionary tale of unchecked madness.
As plans evolved, Gotham’s creators decided to lean into Jerome’s significance to the Joker mythos. They expanded his role, introducing deeper layers to his character and his influence over Gotham. This led to the introduction of his twin brother Jeremiah Valeska, who carried on his legacy in a different, more cerebral direction. This blurred the character’s original intention to be someone who inspired the real Joker, which eventually became uncertain.
8
James Gordon Becomes A Different DC Character
Ben McKenzie Teased A Potential Transformation
While promoting Gotham season 3, Ben McKenzie hinted at a potential twist involving James Gordon adopting an identity tied to another iconic DC character. This cryptic tease suggested a dramatic turn in Gordon’s journey, potentially reshaping his role within the series’ larger narrative. While McKenzie never elaborated on which character Gordon might have become, it was speculated that he could take on a vigilante persona or a symbolic role, such as a precursor to Batman’s ideology.
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This idea might have explored Gordon’s darker side, pushing him to the edge as he grappled with Gotham’s descent into chaos. Alternatively, it could have set the stage for a direct collaboration with Bruce Wayne, further intertwining their destinies. Despite the intriguing possibilities, this storyline was never developed, and Gordon’s character arc remained grounded in his evolution as Gotham’s moral compass and eventual police commissioner.
7
Ivy Pepper Joins The Gotham Sirens
Gotham Renamed Pamela Isley Ivy Pepper For Their Poison Ivy
The Gotham Sirens, consisting of Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn, are an iconic trio in DC lore. Gotham showrunner Danny Cannon confirmed early on that Ivy Pepper, alongside Barbara Kean, Tabitha Galavan, and Selina Kyle, would form Gotham’s version of the Sirens. This storyline would have brought these powerful female characters together as a dominant force in Gotham’s criminal underworld, exploring their unique dynamics and individual strengths.
However, this concept never materialized. Ivy’s character underwent significant changes throughout the series, including rapid aging and recasting, which may have complicated her integration into the Sirens storyline. Additionally, the show’s shortened final season left little room to explore this ensemble’s potential. While Selina and Tabitha maintained strong ties to Barbara, Ivy’s role became more isolated, and the show’s Gotham Sirens line-up remained with just Catwoman, Barbara, and Tabitha.
6
Tabitha Galavan Embraces The Tigress Persona
In The Comics, Tabitha Is Known As Tigress
Tabitha Galavan’s arc throughout Gotham was intertwined with her brother Theo and later Barbara Kean. In the comics, Tabitha’s alter ego is Tigress, a fierce supervillain known for her agility and combat skills. Gothamhinted at Tabitha’s potential as Tigress, particularly through her proficiency with a whip, her vengeful streak, and numerous references to tigers. Had the series continued beyond its abbreviated fifth season, Tabitha was set to fully embrace this persona during the No Man’s Land storyline.
This transformation would have added depth to Tabitha’s character, depicting her descent into a more formidable villainous role. It also would have positioned her as a major player in Gotham’s fractured power structure, with her Tigress identity reflecting her evolution from henchwoman to an independent force. Unfortunately, her arc was cut short when the final season condensed its narrative, leaving this promising storyline unexplored.
5
Penguin Kills Ventriloquist For Betraying Him
Ventriloquist Was Frequently Referred to As Mr Penn In Gotham
One scrapped Gotham storyline revolved around Penguin’s relationship with the Ventriloquist, a character introduced late in the series. Originally, the writers considered having Penguin kill the Ventriloquist after he betrayed him and fled to Haven. This would have served as a dramatic culmination of their dynamic, highlighting the Penguin’s ruthlessness and the dangers of crossing him.
Robin Lord Taylor (Penguin) and Andrew Sellon (Ventriloquist) ultimately convinced the writers that this direction didn’t align with their characters’ dynamic. They argued that the nuanced relationship between Penguin and the Ventriloquist, including the dark humor and mutual dependency, would be undermined by such a grim resolution. Instead, their relationship retained its complexity, avoiding a straightforward betrayal and murder arc. While this decision preserved the integrity of their characters, it was shortlived as the shortened final season curtailed plans to elaborate further on Venriloquist.
4
Riddler Gets His Cane
Riddler Is Normally Adorned In His Famous Question Mark Cane And Bowler Hat
The Riddler’s iconic question mark cane was supposed to make its debut in the Gotham series finale, "The Beginning..." A pre-release still showed the Riddler and Penguin facing a mysterious man in a hat, who was revealed to be the source of both the Riddler’s cane and bowler hat. This scene was meant to symbolize his full transformation into the villain audiences know and love in time for Batman’s ascension.
Other Riddler storylines were also dropped for the shortened Gotham season 6. It was announced that Riddler’s season 6 return would see him “living in the public library, surrounded by books, mumbling to himself, totally naked and covered in tattooed riddles.” His arc would have been influenced by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman: Zero Year. This was streamlined drastically for Gotham season 6, with only glimpses of this story remaining.
3
Clayface Returns To Gotham
Clayface Had Previously Appeared In Gotham
Clayface made a brief appearance in Gotham’s earlier seasons, flaunting his shape-shifting abilities and creating chaos. According to co-creator Danny Cannon, the show planned to revisit Clayface in a larger arc during season 4. This storyline would have explored his backstory, motivations, and the full extent of his powers, adding another layer of complexity to one of Batman’s most compelling and complex foes.
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Unfortunately, this storyline was delayed and eventually discarded due to the series’ shortened fifth season. Audiences missed out on seeing the full potential of this iconic Batman villain, who could have brought a unique blend of horror and tragedy to the show. Clayface was a beautifully tragic adversary, particularly in Batman: TAS. A comparable Clayface would have been a fitting addition to Gotham’s dark and twisted world, but his arc remained an untapped opportunity.
2
Bruce Wayne Infiltrates No Man’s Land
Bruce Wayne Was Set To Leap Into Action Before Becoming Batman
The No Man’s Land storyline, adapted from the comics, served as the backdrop for Gotham’s final season. Initially, Bruce Wayne was set to play a more active role, infiltrating the various gang-controlled sectors of Gotham under different disguises. This approach would have showcased Bruce’s burgeoning ingenuity, determination, and early steps toward becoming Batman. Working alongside Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox, Bruce would have combined physical training with cutting-edge gadgets, emphasizing teamwork and resourcefulness.
It would have set up Bruce Wayne to fully assume his Batman persona. David Mazouz, who played Bruce, later revealed that this storyline was scaled back significantly due to time constraints. While Bruce’s journey toward becoming Batman was still a focus, much of the planned character development and world-building was condensed or omitted. This left only a glimmer of what could have been a more detailed and satisfying origin story for Gotham’s Dark Knight.
1
Mr. Freeze And Firefly’s Turf War
The Elemental Villains Teased A Confrontation
The ending of Gotham season 4 hinted at a turf war between Mr. Freeze and Firefly, with both villains claiming territory in the abandoned city. This setup promised a dramatic storyline for Gotham season 5, exploring the rivalry between these two elemental foes and their respective visions for Gotham’s future. A clash between Freeze’s cold precision and Firefly’s fiery chaos could have provided a visually striking and emotionally charged arc.
However, neither Mr. Freeze nor Firefly appeared in the final season. While the premiere episode, "Year Zero," briefly mentioned their conflict, the storyline was never explicitly depicted – reduced to an offhand comment. The absence of this rivalry left a noticeable gap in the No Man’s Land narrative, as audiences were left to imagine the chaos such a feud could have brought to Gotham’s already fractured landscape.
As a new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen's Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham's most high-profile cases ever: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son, Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred, which further compels Gordon to catch the killer.
Custom image by Richard Craig
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