Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gotham ratings: Batman prequel a success for Channel 5 as it beats BBC 2 and Channel 4 slots

The opening episode drew in 2.05m viewers

Antonia Molloy
Tuesday 14 October 2014 12:02 BST
Comments
Ben McKenzie plays Detective James Gordon
Ben McKenzie plays Detective James Gordon (© Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. )

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Batman prequel Gotham proved to be a ratings success for Channel 5 last night as it made its UK premiere.

The Bruce Wayne origin story, staring Ben McKenzie and Donal Logue, drew in 2.05 million people, or 9.3 per cent of the audience, when it aired between 9pm and 10pm.

The figure placed it ahead of BBC 2’s The Kitchen and Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody.

Directed by Danny Cannon, the US import relegates Batman firmly to the sidelines, kicking off in a crime-ridden metropolis in which Bruce Wayne is a 12-year-old child, whose parents are slaughtered in front of his eyes.

The opening episode saw the complex murder case swiftly taken up by a young Detective James Gordon (McKenzie), setting the path for a friendship between him and the future Dark Knight. Viewers were also introduced to key characters such as Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in