Cristin Milioti Meets Her Moment: On The Penguin, Superhero Fatigue, and What It Means to Be Underrated
Cristin Milioti photographed by Stephanie Diani
As Cristin Milioti receives widespread acclaim
for her powerful performance as Sofia Falcone in The Penguin,
she takes a moment to reflect on her journey in the entertainment industry:
“I’ve been around for a second,” she says,
humbly acknowledging the path that led her to this moment.
This article contains spoilers for the sixth episode of The Penguin, “Gold Summit.”
Cristin Milioti in The Penguin.HBO
Cristin Milioti, speaking from her New York apartment, still seems emotionally affected by a recent event—Joni Mitchell’s concert at the Hollywood Bowl. “I feel like I’m still recovering, because I cried for the entire three hours,” she shares. For Milioti, Mitchell’s “Amelia” struck a particularly powerful chord. She describes it as a collective experience: “Everywhere you looked, there was someone crying. Then you would catch each other’s eyes, touch your heart, and give each other a nod. It felt like witnessing a miracle.”
At the star-studded concert, Milioti herself received attention from fans who praised her portrayal of Sofia Falcone. In The Penguin, Milioti plays a mob princess turned ruthless villain, facing off against Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb. “I feel very protective of her,” Milioti says about Sofia. Tortured in Arkham prison for more than a decade for a crime she didn’t commit, Sofia seeks vengeance against the family members who wronged her. “Homicide aside, I am just in love with her,” Milioti adds, emphasizing her character’s resilience and strength.
For the 39-year-old actor, the role has been a dream come true. Long before she auditioned for a comic book film, Milioti would dress as Catwoman for Halloween. She even imagines young fans dressing as Sofia this year, which brings a bright smile to her face: “I get emotional just talking about it. I would be so blown away.”
Milioti has been charting her own course since dropping out of NYU after one year. Her breakthrough came with a Tony nomination for the 2012 Broadway musical Once, which led to both big and small roles—from How I Met Your Mother to 30 Rock. Her career continued with memorable performances alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street, Andy Samberg in Palm Springs, and Jesse Plemons in Black Mirror. Now, Milioti is embracing her most high-profile role yet.
Cristin Milioti in Black Mirror.JONATHAN PRIME / NETFLIX
Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg in Palm Springs.JESSICA PEREZ
VANITY FAIR: “‘UNDERRATED’ IS A WORD THAT
OFTEN GETS USED TO DESCRIBE YOUR WORK. HOW DOES THAT LABEL SIT WITH YOU?”
Cristin Milioti: “I don’t know how to react to that.
I know ultimately that’s a compliment. I would rather be underrated than overrated.
It just makes me giggle because I’ve been around for a second.”
When Milioti considers her growing fan base, she mentions staying away from the internet. “I don’t read articles or reviews,” she says. “Some friends have sent me screenshots of kind words, and I’m like, ‘Don’t do that,’ but it’s very lovely.” She notes that there’s no specific tell for which role a person might be recognizing her, given that her projects appeal to a wide age range.
Cristin Milioti in Broadway’s Once.Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Josh Radnor and Cristin Milioti in How I Met Your Mother.CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
When asked if people still want to discuss the ending of How I Met Your Mother, Milioti laughs. “I haven’t had a re-litigation of that ending in a while.”
The sixth episode of The Penguin hints at a complex relationship between Sofia and Dr. Julian Rush, portrayed by Theo Rossi. Milioti explains, “There’s a strange shifting power dynamic between them. After everything she endured in prison, he’s probably the only person she feels somewhat safe with—but only if she’s in complete control.” This relationship exemplifies Sofia’s vulnerability and strength, a character who’s been deprived of connection but is now embracing the luxuries of freedom—on her own terms.
Milioti also spoke about working with Carmen Ejogo, who plays Eve, Oz’s lover, in The Penguin. Sofia initially approaches Eve with disdain but soon recognizes someone who has also been underestimated. “She sees in Eve someone who is extremely smart and real, and that resonates with Sofia,” Milioti says. Despite Sofia’s high body count, she lives by a specific code—she avoids taking innocent lives.
The interview also explored the inherent loneliness of Sofia. “She’s a complete island,” Milioti shares. “That wound—wanting family, loyalty—will stay with her forever.” In the episode’s final scene, Sofia watches Oz and his mother dance, a complex mix of emotions boiling beneath the surface.
Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell in The Penguin.HBO
When talking about The Penguin, Milioti praises creator Lauren LeFranc for her ability to humanize superhero characters. “These films were huge for me growing up, and even though we’re more saturated with them now, they can still move you,” she says. She recalls watching Wonder Woman in theaters and crying. “Seeing all the little girls there—it was overwhelming.”
On the topic of Batman’s ever-evolving universe, Milioti appreciates the diversity of interpretations that have emerged over the years. “Someone told me recently, ‘It’s like a Shakespeare play.’ You have these characters that can carry different versions of themselves across eras.”
As for what’s next, Milioti hopes to return to the role of Sofia: “I would love to play Sofia again. She means so much to me. This job was creatively fulfilling, and I’m looking for that same kind of juice in whatever I do next.”
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