Former The O.C. star Ben McKenzie has landed the lead role in a new Batman spin-off.
McKenzie, who found fame opposite Mischa Barton in the teen TV drama, has signed up to play James Gordon, a police rookie who later rises to the rank of commissioner, in the new superhero series Gotham.
The actor played the role of police officer Ben Sherman in the TV series Southland from 2009-2013.
Gotham will be based around the character and his police career before the emergence of Batman.
Commissioner Gordon has previously been portrayed by Neil Hamilton in the 1960s series about the Caped Crusader, while Pat Hingle played him in four films from 1989's Batman until 1997's Batman & Robin.
Gary Oldman most recently portrayed Gordon in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight film trilogy.
