Con O’Neill Talks ‘Gotham PD’, David Jenkins’ ‘Booster Gold’, & The Politics Of ‘Superman’

Best known for his role as the eccentric pirate Izzy Hands on the two-season HBO Max show Our Flag Means Death, Con O’Neill is a distinguished actor, instantly recognisable by his unique voice. While getting an autograph at the annual Oz-Comic Con in Brisbane, Australia, I struck up a conversation with the Tony-nominated actor. Read our Con O’Neill Gotham PD exclusive.

Questioned about his thoughts on OFMD showrunner David Jenkins tackling the Booster Gold series for DC Studios and HBO Max, Con expressed interest purely due to the talent of his now friend David, but did make sure to point out he did not know who the titular character was. Con praised Jenkins as a kind man and a creative who the world (in its current socio-political climate) so desperately needs. 

I pointed out that the show will hopefully propel Jenkins’ career even further. In response, Con said that he isn’t certain if David is the type of guy to enjoy the forefront of a curve, instead riding one, writing and developing nuanced stories that understand the human experience by promoting positivity (which was a big theme of Con’s Q&A panel later at the event). 

O’Neill also detailed to me his experience with James Gunn’s Superman, the hit film that debuted in theatres back on July 11th. He praised its portrayal of Superman’s humanity and the promotion of kindness, furthering his point about it being hugely important in today’s society as a combatant against vitriol and hateful rhetoric. He also condemned the few individuals online who disagree with the sentiment portrayed in the film, which you can read below: 

“There are people who think Superman shouldn’t be kind like that. Fuck those people.”

Finally, following our one-on-one conversation, Con O’Neill was interviewed as part of a Q&A panel largely focused on his tenure on Our Flag Means Death. When prompted with questions, I asked, “You play Bock [an officer of the Gotham Police Department] in The Batman and The Penguin. There was a Gotham PD series in development following those projects. Were you contacted about that before it was cancelled? And where would you like to see the character of Bock go in the future?” 

In response, O’Neill joked, “I would tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” He continues, “I love Bock. Matt Reeves and Matt Reeves’ mind is unquestionably one of the most extraordinary places I’ve been invited into. So wherever I thought or think Bock should be, it isn’t going to be what Bock will be. So I’d just go by the genius of Matt Reeves. I mean… the man is a fucking genius. If you haven’t seen Matt Reeves’ other films… Watch them! They’re fucking awesome.”

Con O’Neill will next appear in Terence Malick’s The Way of the Wind. 

Oz-Comic Con continues its Brisbane tenure tomorrow, before moving to Sydney next weekend. 

Thanks for reading this Con O’Neill Gotham PD article, for more, stay tuned here at Feature First.