Batwoman season 3 star reacts to playing iconic Batman villain

Batwoman spoilers follow.

Batwoman's third season may have only aired seven episodes so far, having premiered in the US on October 13 – but it's already featured storylines surrounding a number of Rogues Gallery favourites, including Mad Hatter, Professor Pyg, Poison Ivy, Mr Freeze and Killer Croc.

There's been mention of Catwoman, too, suggesting that the feline-friendly foe could show up later down the line.

The Arrowverse outing's most recent instalment, however, welcomed one of DC's most iconic villains into the fold, as Ryan Wilder's half brother Marquis Jet revealed himself to be the Joker.

nick creegan as marquis jet, batwoman season 3

The CW

Now, actor Nick Creegan has opened up about how his version of the Clown Prince of Crime is "one of the most complicated characters" in the show.

"Marquis has a way with his words. He's very charismatic and charming. I think he draws people in with the way he's able to speak to an audience," he explained to TV Line. "In episode 7, you see that when he makes that speech at the end and poses certain questions that make you wonder, 'Is he crazy? Or could I understand why somebody might feel the way he feels?'

"In later episodes, people will definitely be able to relate to some of the things he's saying. I don't condone any harm on other human beings, but in terms of his philosophy on treating people with mental illness fairly and not just treating them like a pariah, I think people will be able to agree with that part.

"I feel like my rendition of him is pointed towards making people think more deeply about mental health and awareness, and how we treat people with mental health issues."

The CW

Creegan went on to laugh about how he unknowingly wore a purple shirt to his audition and recalled being told by showrunner Caroline Dries that his character – who he just believed to be a "sexy playboy who was arrogant and gets everything he needs from his mother" – would actually turn out to be Batman's most famous enemy.

"Two weeks before I flew out to Vancouver [where Batwoman films], I had a FaceTime meeting with Caroline Dries, and she was like, 'Hey, Nick… There's really no other way to say this, but you become the new Joker.'

"My face was frozen, and my jaw literally dropped. I was immediately shocked, excited, scared, intimidated. I had all of the feelings all at once."

The CW

When asked whether he looked to previous portrayals of the baddie, from Jack Nicholson to Heath Ledger to Joaquin Phoenix, to find his own way of playing him, Creegan said that while he "respects every Joker that has come before" him, he knew he had to offer up something fresh.

"Being that this is the show where there's the first Black woman and lesbian superhero, I realised that I was going to be the first Black man to portray a role that kids will be able to dress up as Halloween one day," the actor concluded.

"They're going to be able to see his purple locks and say, 'I want purple locks' and 'I want to dress up like Marquis and be the Joker.' So I took it on as something that was brand new, even though I did think about the other Jokers. But I realised that this was the first of its kind."

Batwoman airs on The CW in the US and E4 in the UK.