Who is Maggie? The Penguin’s obscure new Batman villain explained

Warning! This post contains spoilers for The Penguin Episode 4

A dark DC Comics villain makes an unexpected appearance in The penguinWhat adapts you in The Batman Universe’s realistic setting. Only two installments in, Matt Reeves The Batman universe has already featured several prominent DC Comics villains. The Batman Introducing The Riddler, The Penguin, Catwoman, The Joker, and Carmine Falcone. Meanwhile, The penguin Introduced Sofia Falcone, as well as Carmine Falcone’s rival Sal ​​Maroni. ahead of The Batman – Part IIs 2026-2027 release, The penguin Continues the franchise’s world building with a deeper dive into Gotham’s underworld.

After Oz Cobb’s betrayal in The penguin Episode 3’s ending, the series explores Sofia Falcone’s backstory through flashbacks. According to The penguin The revelations of episode 4, Carmine Falcone is the real hangman, and he blames his daughter Sofia for the murders he committed. Sophia Falcone was mistakenly sent to Arkham, where she found herself forced to use violence to defend herself. Since Arkham is usually filled with famous DC villains, Sofia Falcone crosses paths with a character who fought Batman and the Bat-Family in the comics: Magpie.

Magpie’s DC Comics history explained

Magpie has battled big names throughout her DC Comics history

Margaret Pye aka Magpie made her DC Comics debut in 1986 Man of Style #3Where she leads Superman and Batman to meet for the first time (in this specific After crisis continuity). Similar to the two titular heroes’ early DCEU encounters in Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeBatman warns Superman that interfering with the Dark Knight’s crime-fighting efforts could end badly, but the world’s finest join forces to stop Magpie. In recent years, Magpie joins the Secret Society of Super Villains, breaks out of Arkham, and is sent to Bel Rive, after which she joins the Suicide Squad.

According to her first origin story, Magpie grew obsessed with stealing precious objects, and she became an expert thief and researcher. Magpie formed her own criminal crew and expanded her reach, but she was unlucky enough to catch Batman’s eye as Superman was following him. Magpie has made a name for himself with cruel allies and greater enemies. Magpie died shortly after joining the Suicide Squad, however, and she was briefly resurrected with a Black Lantern ring during DC’s Black night storyline.

How the penguin changes magpie

The penguin gives Magpie some of Harley Quinn’s traits

The penguin Episode 4’s flashbacks to Sofia Falcone’s backstory reveal that the first person Sofia meets in Arkham is Magpie. At this point, Magpie has seemingly spent a long time in Arkham, which coincides with her first appearance in DC New 52 Continuity, where she debuts in Arkham after being captured by Batman. It is unknown whether Robert Pattinson’s Batman sent Magpie to Arkham some time before the events of The penguinBut it is likely. The penguinS Magpie is much more outgoing, but much more naive and less violent than her comic book counterpart.

The penguinThis version of Magpie exhibits similar traits to most iterations of Harley Quinn. Unlike its comic book counterpart, The penguinMagpie’s Magpie seems to feel very detached from reality, as she disregards dangerous situations and befriends Sofia despite Sofia’s deadly hangman shyness. Magpie’s naivety leads to her death, as Sophia snaps and beats her to death. While Magpie died a sudden death at the hands of fellow Suicide Squad villain Thylacine in the comics, DC’s original Magpie would likely have defended himself from Sophia in the source material.

Who plays Magpie in The Penguin

Marié Botha plays Magpie in The Penguin Episode 4’s flashbacks

The penguins version of Margaret Pye aka Magpie is brought to life by Marié Botha. Botha starred in the 2018 short film I love Dead Cat And the 2019 short film Zooey. She played Mary Bowles in one episode of the 2021 series DickinsonAnd published in 2021s Highway One Like Anna. Botha played Viva in the 2022 short film (Manic) QueenAnd it seems her breakout role will be Magpie In The penguinDespite the villain’s limited screentime.

The penguin is not the first DC project to adapt Magpie to live-action. Sarah Schenkkan played Magpie in 2019 Gotham Episode “13 Stitches”. Interestingly, it is none other than the penguin who tracks down and kills Magpie GothamBecause Magpies Clapton led her to a vault of Oswald Cobblepot. Rachel Matthews played Magpie in 2019 Batwoman Episode “Who Are You”, where Batwoman thwarts Magpie’s attempt to steal Martha Wayne’s iconic pearl necklace and sends her to Blackgate Penitentiary.

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