Smith, who appeared Off-Broadway in Cock, has been cast as Edward Nygma, the DC Comics character who eventually becomes the villainous The Riddler.
Nygma, Deadline.com reports, is a "brilliant but socially awkward forensic scientist who’s eccentric and outgoing and desperate to be liked." Although Smith will be making a guest appearance in the pilot, it is possible he could become a series regular in the hour-long drama.
Executive-produced by Bruno Heller, "Gotham" stars Ben McKenzie as Gotham City cop James Gordon, Donal Logue, Jada Pinkett Smith, Zabryna Guevara, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, David Mazouz and Camren Bicondova.
Smith's screen credits include "Olive Kitteridge," "Carol" and "Camp X-Ray."