I am actor Ben McKenzie. You might know me as Jim Gordon on GOTHAM, AMAA!

What do you like about rich kids?

Nothing

Southland was THE BOMB! Why don't the suits respect the fans that greatly respect great shows like Southland???

I love the show too, but at the end of the day it's just numbers. If more people had watched, the show would still be on and we would still be kicking ass. Thank YOU for watching though.

Does it feel badass to be the only actor ever to play both Batman and Jim Gordon?

Why yes. Yes it does feel badass.

possibly. or we may see figures from his past

So who do you personally like more? The sexy doctor? Or that... Barbara lady...

Objection: leading the witness.

What do you do on your day off?

The same thing we do every day Pinky: try and take over the world.

Does it weird you out that people write 'fan fiction' about you??

No. Does it weird you out that I collect it and read it at night?

How do you like working with the younger actors in your current series? Child actors can be hit or miss, but the kids on Gotham seems to be consistently stellar! Do you guys have fun on set?

I love them. David, Camren and Claire are just great actors and really nice "young people". I feel so old right now :)

Can you PLEASE make up an ending for SOUTHLAND so I can sleep at night??

Sure. Everybody lives. Cooper marries Sammy Bryant and they live happily ever after.

Is Donal Logue that jovial also between the scenes?

He is a hoot. A lovely, lovely guy to work with. The yin to my yang

How much money have you spent on soup in your lifetime?

$4,512.23

Hi Ben! Do you get all the references that appears in Gotham?

100% no. Usually David Mazouz has to explain all of the references to me (and all of the "older" actors)!

do you feel the need to play Jim Gordon like Gary Oldman did ?

No, not really. I think each actor interprets his character as he sees fit. It's a mistake to mimic another actor's performance.

What's one thing u can't live without?

air

When do we get a steamy sex scene with Dr. Thompkins?

Just wondering for, uh, scientific research.

Uh huh. You'll have to watch my friend.

Hi Ben! The show is amazing and everything I ever could have wanted from a TV show about Gotham City. Partly because it's much darker and more violent than I thought it would be. Is going "too dark" ever a concern or have any scenes ever had to be tamed down a bit?

Thank you! We have actually gotten full support from Fox to go as dark as we want. And things will get very, very dark starting tonight!!!

What's with the long ass break?

It takes a long time to do post-production on a show like this. Viz effects, editing, color timing, ADR, etc. We needed time to catch up to the airing schedule.

What would you do to stop Arnold as Mr. Freeze?!

Make him pronounce "California" correctly

Hi Ben!

I've become a big fan of you since watching Gotham. Who has been your favorite villain on the show so far?

It's so hard to choose. I love what Robin and Cory are doing with Penguin and Nygma, so they are probably my favs! Plus, sweet guys to boot!

How far to the future do you see with your script?

The writers have been great. We usually get the scripts a week before shooting, which is a lot in our profession. It's not unusual to get scripts the day before on other shows.

What is your favorite flavor of yogurt?

Just tried coconut yogurt. Fantastic.

If you have watched them, which batman movie is your favourite?

I love the Nolan films, but I'm partial to Tim Burton's Batman with Keaton. Loved that as a kid.

First of all been a big fan since the OC. How do you like being in NYC so much?

NYC is incredible. I'm enjoying it's cuisine a little too much :)

Ben how did you feel when you first received the script for Gotham? Are you a Batman fan?

Nervous. It's a lot of responsibility. It was also tremendously exciting of course.

What is the biggest obstacle you faced getting started in showbiz?

Nobody giving a rat's ass about me. Pretty much everybody faces that when they start out.

What differences do you feel working on a show such as Gotham, which exists in a world that audiences already know so much about from comics, past films, etc., versus one where the world being created is unique to the show?

Good question. There's more responsibility to the legacy that already exists. It requires some ingenuity and bravery to shape the world as we see fit and not become slavishly devoted to one particular interpretation of the mythology.

Dijon or regular mustard, Ben? I'm in dire straits at the moment while making a sandwich.

Dijon all the way.

Do you have any pets?

I had a dog :(

Hello Ben! What is your favorite episode of Gotham thus far?

I'm partial to Ep 7, "Penguin's Umbrella"

Hey Ben, love your work! You have mostly played very interesting and intense characters. Does that intensity carry over into your real person?

Nope. Very, very lazy in real life. And shy.

How's the 22 episodes framework working for you?

Hard :) but it also allows us to tell more stories, so that's a good thing.

How much do you love the Toronto Blue Jays?

5%?

Why so little?

I'm from Texas. Toronto isn't really my hometown team. Although I am a huge RA Dickey fan. Trying to make a movie about him actually. He has an amazing story.

They're showing Gotham on tv here in Sweden. I've been thinking of watching it, but it seems scary! Should I be afraid? ;)

Yes, you should be very, very afraid.

I am really really really hoping this will be lucky question and it gets answered! Hi Ben!

What / who is on your music playlist right now? What gets you energised for your early mornings to set?

Everything from Run the Jewels to James Vincent McMorrow. It's eclectic to say the least.

What was your audition for the show like?

I actually didn't audition. Bruno Heller and I had worked together before. He wrote the part with me in mind.

What is your favorite food?

I eat everything. Growing up in Texas, BBQ and Mexican food are definitely at the top of the list.

What Batman comics did you read to research on the character of Jim Gordon?

Year One, Gotham Central, Long Halloween, and a lot of others.

Who do you miss working with more? Brody or Cudlitz?

I miss them both in their own ways. Each is his own unique snowflake.

What interested you the most about the character of Jim Gordon when you took on the role?

He's an old-fashioned hero in an age of anti-heroes. A throwback.

What do a dead man, an emu, and a cruise ship have in common?

Nothing.

Were you at all hesitant to take a role in a series that, so far, has tread a very fine line between 'serious' and 'surreal?'

Yes. It is a constant battle, but really enjoyable. We are always walking that fine line, and sometimes falling over into it :)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Besides this?

Is there any kind of role that you would immediately turn down?

Yes. The sh@#%y kind.

In this interview you said you wanted to be the next Liam Neeson — could you talk about your other favorite action stars and what's so appealing to you about the genre?

http://www.indiewire.com/article/ben-mckenzie-on-gotham-season-2-and-becoming-the-next-liam-neeson-20150413

I don't remember saying that, but I'll take it. Love old Eastwood films. Westerns. Steve McQueen.

Have you done any stunts that stand out as particularly dangerous?

The one where I got hurt.

I really liked you on Southland... I wish that show had a few more seasons, it was really very good and different from a typical "cop show".

Any interesting stories from the set there?

Did you ever go on a ride along with a cop, or see the crime/violence firsthand?

What's it like working with Michael Cudlitz?

Yeah we did a far number of ridealongs for Southland. We saw some pretty wild stuff.

Hi Ben How would you describe Jim and Barbara's relationship?

Turbulent.

Actor, and producer! Which hat do u prefer to wear?

With whom do u wanna work soemday?

Future plans?

I like both. Also trying my hand at writing at the moment... so far unsuccessfully. It's really hard.

Huge fan since the OC, I think you're all kinds of talented dude. I guess my question would be, how do you choose which roles/projects to take on? Do you actively look to diversify your experience, or has that just kinda happened?

Anyway, keep being awesome & I can't wait to see you in more Gotham!!

Thanks. Whatever comes my way that seems challenging. And could actually be seen by people.

Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or one horse sized duck?

(Wow, really? I'm such a big fan of this show, and this was the best I could come up with? Damn.)

1 horse sized duck. Clearly

What's your favorite movie?

Badlands. Terrence Malick. Made me want to be an actor.

If you were an apple what kind would you be?

Fuji

What's one thing u can't live without?

air