Meet Dr. Julian Rush: The New DC Character in The Penguin Explained

The Penguin is a gripping crime drama miniseries that serves as a spin-off from Matt Reeves’ acclaimed film, The Batman. Developed by Lauren LeFranc, the series is executive produced by notable figures including Dylan Clark, Craig Zobel, Bill Carraro, and Daniel Pipski.

Colin Farrell takes on the lead role, portraying the iconic character Penguin, also known as Oswald Cobb from DC Comics. The narrative follows his transformation from a mid-tier mobster to the formidable crime kingpin of Gotham City, establishing himself as one of Batman’s fiercest foes.

As per the synopsis provided by Rotten Tomatoes, the series unfolds as:

“The next chapter in The Batman saga, this crime drama follows Oz Cobb’s quest for power and control in Gotham City.”

Dr. Julian Rush, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, treats Sofia Falcone and appears to have a complex history with her.

Dr. Julian Rush’s Brief Role in The Penguin

In episode 2 of The Penguin, titled Inside Man, viewers are introduced to Dr. Julian Rush during the opening scenes. Serving as a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum, he uses red light hypnosis therapy to treat Sofia, which inadvertently leads to nightmarish hallucinations.

After Sofia emerges from the hypnotic state in distress, Dr. Julian comforts her in a manner that raises eyebrows regarding professionalism. Their apparent closeness suggests a shared past that may unfold in future episodes.

Although Dr. Julian Rush is an original character not found in the DC Comics, his brief introduction has ignited fan excitement and speculation regarding his true nature.

Fan Theories Surrounding Dr. Julian Rush’s Identity

Fans have various theories concerning Dr. Julian Rush’s identity. One theory suggests that the dynamic between Sofia and Dr. Julian mirrors that of the Joker and Harley Quinn. However, it’s premature to draw conclusions based solely on their brief interaction.

Another theory posits that he might be the infamous supervillain Scarecrow, or Dr. Jonathan Crane. According to DC Comics, Crane is known for his fear-inducing experiments at Arkham Asylum using a fear toxin.

There are indeed substantial parallels between the two characters, both serving as psychiatrists at Arkham Asylum. Furthermore, Dr. Julian’s introduction of nightmares during his first scene with Sofia adds fuel to this speculation.

While their names differ, minor name alterations are common in the Batman franchise. For instance, the titular character’s name changed from Oswald Cobblepot to Oswald Cobb, while The Riddler’s name was modified from Edward Nygma to Edward Nashton in The Batman film released in 2022.

Another possibility is that Dr. Julian Rush could represent another classic Batman antagonist, Hugo Strange, who is notorious for employing unorthodox and dangerous techniques to unearth his patients’ darkest secrets.

Alternatively, he may simply be an unconventional psychologist or hypnotherapist resorting to unorthodox methods while treating his patients.

Actor Portraying Dr. Julian Rush in The Penguin

The role of Dr. Julian Rush is played by American actor and producer Theo Rossi, known for his performances as Juan Carlos ‘Juice’ Ortiz in Sons of Anarchy, Hernan ‘Shades’ Alvarez in Luke Cage, and Stan Giamatti in Grey’s Anatomy.

Rossi’s filmography also includes roles in Emily the Criminal, Bad Hurt, Lowriders, Army of the Dead, and Red Sands, among others.

Viewers can catch all episodes of The Penguin streaming on HBO and Max.

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