Professor Pyg
Michael Cerveris, who plays Professor Pyg in “Gotham,” refuses to eat bacon now that he became friends with the pigs on the set of the Fox show. FOX

Michael Cerveris is a breath of fresh air as the villain Professor Pyg in “Gotham.” His character is creepy and unsettling, and it’s all thanks to Cerveris’ acting prowess.

However, there is a downside (or positive side, whichever way you look at things) in Cerveris’ new role. The actor confessed that he got so attached to the pigs on the set of “Gotham” that he can’t get himself to eat bacon anymore.

“I went and actually could make them feel comfortable because pigs are actually really shy and skittish creatures,” Cerveris told Comic Book, referring to the scene where his character fed pigs. “So, I just went and stood in the pen for like an hour before we started shooting just to hang out with them and get them used to me being around. And, I got really attached to them. And, I’m not kidding, I’ve not had bacon since we shot that scene because I just can’t bring myself to eat my little friends.”

Because of his newfound love for pigs, Cerveris said it became even more disturbing for him to play Professor Pyg, who kills pigs just to make a statement in Gotham City.

“When he [Professor Pyg] puts pig heads on people the heads have to come from some place and that was one the things that was the most disturbing to me, because I loved these little pigs,” Cerveris admitted. “I loved hanging around in that pen.”

For now, Pyg is going after the corrupt cops of Gotham City and he is trying to lure Detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) to be his partner. But the show’s executive producer John Stephens told USA Today that the villain’s plans will change “episode by episode,” and the things he will be doing will lead up to a “horrific reveal.”

Robin Lord Taylor, who plays Oswald Cobblepot in the series, even told Collider that his character will eventually come face to face with Pyg. “Ho, ho, let me tell you! Hands down one of my favorite, top five scenes of the entire series, we just shot last week. It’s a huge, big climax scene in episode nine, which involves Professor Pyg, played by Michael Cerveris, who is the absolute best. It’s a competition between him and Oswald, is what I can say,” he said.

“Gotham” Season 4 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox.

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