Gary Oldman portrayed Commissioner Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy, appearing in Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).78 His performance as the incorruptible Gotham City Police Commissioner was widely acclaimed, with film critic Mark Kermode calling it "the best performance in the film, by a mile" in his review of The Dark Knight.78 Oldman revealed that his personal circumstances during the filming of Batman Begins—being a single father based in Los Angeles while shooting in London—contributed to the authentic world-weariness he brought to the role, as he made 27 round trips between the two cities to spend time with his children.512

Initially, Nolan had considered Oldman for a villainous role, possibly Scarecrow, but Oldman declined, stating he did not want to play "another weirdo".11 His manager then suggested the role of Jim Gordon, which Nolan found intriguing and ultimately cast him in.912 Oldman's casting was a pivotal decision, as he brought a depth and realism to the character that had not been seen in previous live-action adaptations.12 He also noted that the role was challenging because Gordon often arrives after Batman has already solved cases, limiting his detective work, yet his presence remains essential to the narrative.9

Beyond the trilogy, Oldman has reflected on how both the Harry Potter and Batman franchises helped stabilize his career during a difficult personal period, allowing him to balance work with family life.5 His portrayal of Gordon remains one of the most iconic interpretations of the character in film history.2