'Southland' star Ben McKenzie cast as Jim Gordon in Fox's Batman origin series 'Gotham'

Fox's new origin series, Gotham, based on the Batman universe of characters has cast its leading man. Ben McKenzie of The O.C. and Southland will star as Jim Gordon, whom we all know eventually becomes the Commissioner of Gotham and Batman's accomplice in cleaning up the city. This new show already has a series commitment order from Fox, so this is a huge deal for McKenzie.

McKenzie previously voiced Batman/Bruce Wayne in the 2011 animated movie adaptation of Batman: Year One.

THR broke this story and offered up a great synopsis for the origin series character:

Gotham's Gordon is a rookie detective for Gotham City Open Police Department's Homicide Squad. A college football star, and a war hero, Gordon was fast-tracked through the GCPD ranks. He's brave, energetic and honest. Driven to live up to the classical virtues of a father he barely knew, he's an idealistic soul, to the point of naiveté. That virtue is tempered by analytical intelligence and an ambitious alpha male ego -- he'll back up his naive ideals with action.

Though the series is more of an origin story of the city itself, Gordon will be the main character, with a young Bruce Wayne coming into play as well.

"This is not one of the things where you bought a franchise and then none of characters people know," Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly said. "We will follow Bruce Wayne right up until the point where he gets interesting."

He added: It's Gotham teetering on the edge. This is all of the classic Batman characters."

Other familiar faces like The Joker, Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman are expected to make appearances as well.