From SOUTHLAND to GOTHAM. Here's the new James Gordon

If you don't know the name Ben McKenzie then you soon will. He has just been cast as Detective James Gordon, the lead role in the new FOX Batman-origins style series, Gotham.

Scheduled for the 2014/15 television season, Gotham is based upon characters published by DC Comics. The show will feature rookie Detective James Gordon, a young Bruce Wayne and explore the origin stories of many of the villains we know from the Batman comics.

Ben McKenzie is an excellent choice, the guy's got acting chops. He starred in the quite excellent cop drama Southland and The O.C., but we won't hold that against him! Plus, fun fact: Ben McKenzie provided the voice of Bruce Wayne/Batman in the animated movie Batman: Year One!

The Mentalist creator Bruno Heller has written the pilot for Gotham, Danny Cannon will direct and the official tag line reads...