Batman is coming back to television — or at least a younger version of his alter ego is. The prequel Gotham has officially been given a series order by the FOX network.

The show was initially envisioned as the story of rookie detective James Gordon — before he became Police Commissioner and prior to the appearance of the caped crusader. The idea evolved to not only include a young Bruce Wayne but also early versions of several well-known Batman villains like the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Riddler, and Catwoman.

Characters cast so far include Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz), Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova), Barbara Kean (Erin Richards), Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee), Captain Essen (Zabryna Guevara), and Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith).

Additional details are expected to be announced at next week’s FOX upfront presentation. A preview will air tonight, during the season debut of 24: Live Another Day.

Updated: The series will debut this fall.

Based upon characters published by DC Entertainment and produced by Warner Bros. Television, GOTHAM is an origin story of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. Starring Ben McKenzie (“Southland,” “The O.C.”), Donal Logue (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Terriers,” “Vikings,” “Copper”) and Jada Pinkett Smith (“The Matrix” films, “HawthoRNe”), GOTHAM follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time. Executive producer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist”) wrote the pilot, which was directed and executive-produced by Emmy Award nominee Danny Cannon (the “CSI” franchise, “Nikita”). John Stephens will serve as an executive producer on the series.

What do you think? Do you like the sound of the new Gotham series? Will you check it out?