‘How it felt being the first Black actor to play The Joker’

Nick Creegan is the first-ever Black actor to play DC Comics’ baddie Joker in live-action. Here, he opens up on how it felt, as well as the big shoes he had to fill, and more.

By Justina Terhember

Over at TheWrap, Nick Creegan talked about his new portrayal in the Batwoman TV series, of iconic villain the Joker, describing the whole experience as “Crazy”. He also said he’s done a lot of processing the past few weeks, and months. “It’s still surreal to me. It’s been a wild ride for me. You know, the reception of the new Joker, being the first person of color to play this role – the messages and the love I’ve been getting has just been overwhelming. It’s been a fun ride.”

Creegan also explained that he bonded with Batwoman co-star Nicole Kang due to the fact that he was the first Black man to play The Joker and she was the first Asian American woman to play Poison Ivy. “And then, when we found out that we would have a scene together, we were just like, ‘Oh my God, this is the best thing ever,'” he said.

“Creegan, interestingly, summarized his upcoming portrayal in three words: “Total fucking chaos.”

Despite taking on a such a coveted role, the actor has already begun adding his own twisted flair to the character. “The laugh, for instance, is actually my own laugh,” he explained. “Yeah, there are bits and pieces from other Jokers, but it’s very much an over-exaggerated version of what I’d be like in this situation.”

In the Batwoman TV series, Creegan’s new Joker is not the first Clown Prince of Crime, but Marquis Jet, a business scion-turned-sociopathic after a fateful childhood encounter with the original Joker.

The actor is treading hallowed Hollywood ground stepped upon by legends like Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix. Creegan, interestingly, summarized his upcoming portrayal in three words: “Total fucking chaos.”