“The Penguin” is an upcoming American limited television series devised by Lauren LeFranc for the streaming platform Max. It stems from the DC Comics character Penguin and serves as a spin-off from the 2022 film “The Batman”, delving into the Penguin’s ascent to dominance within Gotham City’s criminal realm. Produced by 6th & Idaho, DC Studios, and Dylan Clark Productions in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television, LeFranc acts as the showrunner.
Colin Farrell takes on the role of the Penguin, reprising his portrayal from “The Batman”, alongside Cristin Milioti. Development commenced as early as September 2021, with LeFranc enlisted as the writer and Farrell slated to reprise his character. HBO Max greenlit the series shortly following the film’s release in March 2022, with Craig Zobel on board to direct the initial three episodes in October, with Helen Shaver also joining as a director. Principal photography commenced in March 2023 in New York but was halted in June due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Production resumed in late November and concluded in February 2024.
CHARACTERS
Main:
- Colin Farrell portrays Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot / Penguin, a disfigured crime lord and former chief lieutenant of the late Carmine Falcone, aiming to ascend as a criminal kingpin in his own right. Farrell expressed that the series would delve deeper into the character’s complexity, exploring his awkwardness, strength, villainy, and the heartbroken man within him, expanding on his introduction in The Batman (2022).
- Cristin Milioti appears as Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, who engages in a power struggle with Cobblepot for control of Gotham City’s criminal underworld following her father’s demise.
Recurring:
- Clancy Brown portrays Salvatore Maroni, a mob boss and gangster in Gotham City, whose operations were disrupted in Gotham’s significant drug bust, with Carmine serving as the informant.
- Michael Zegen plays Alberto Falcone, Carmine’s son and Sofia’s brother.
- Michael Kelly appears as Johnny Vitti, the underboss of the Falcone crime family.
- Actors cast in undisclosed roles include Rhenzy Feliz as a lead character, along with Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, James Madio, Scott Cohen, Theo Rossi, Carmen Ejogo, François Chau, David H. Holmes, Craig Walker, and Jared Abrahamson.
STORYLINE
“The Penguin” chronicles the evolution of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, a disfigured underworld figure who once served as the trusted lieutenant to the late Carmine Falcone. As Cobblepot sets his sights on ascending to a position of ultimate power within Gotham City’s criminal hierarchy, he embarks on a perilous journey through the city’s shadowy underworld. His ambition drives him to navigate the intricate web of crime and corruption that permeates the city’s streets following Falcone’s demise. In his quest for supremacy, Cobblepot encounters formidable adversaries, none more challenging than Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, who is determined to assert her dominance over Gotham’s criminal landscape. Their clash sparks a series of intense power struggles and cunning maneuvers, fueling the narrative with suspense and intrigue as alliances are tested and rivalries ignite.
Against the backdrop of Gotham’s dark and foreboding streets, “The Penguin” delves into the multifaceted character of Cobblepot, peeling back the layers to reveal his vulnerabilities, strengths, and the driving forces behind his ascent to power. As viewers are immersed in this world of shifting loyalties and blurred moral boundaries, they are invited to ponder the complex interplay between heroism and villainy in a city consumed by its own darkness.
With its ensemble of compelling characters and a plot brimming with unexpected twists and turns, “The Penguin” offers a gripping portrayal of Gotham’s underbelly. As Cobblepot navigates the murky waters of ambition and corruption, the series unfolds as a captivating exploration of the corrupting influence of power and the sacrifices made in its pursuit within a city teetering on the edge of chaos.
