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The DC Studios logo is set in a rainy Gotham alley

Line of Events

Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, a.k.a. The Penguin, stages a play to take over the reins of the crime world in Gotham. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti talk about how they came up with their characters during production of The Penguin. Colin Farrell fought hard to have his version of The Penguin smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. For his own series, however, the character is portrayed as a casual tobacco user with a penchant for cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros.

The Batman (2022) is a thrilling dive into the criminal underworld of Gotham City

logo. Featured in Graham Norton i gosti: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024). The new HBO show The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ theatrical film, is part of The Penguin series. Led by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series builds on the film’s gritty, noirish tone and offers fans a fresh yet familiar experience in the Batman universe. Unlike most superhero content, The Penguin focuses on the darker, more human elements of Gotham’s criminals, moving away from the caped crusader to spotlight the rise of one of Batman’s most notorious enemies in the immediate aftermath of the events of The Batman. The series explores Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum created in Gotham’s criminal empire.

Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin is simply remarkable

With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in chaos, Penguin seizes the opportunity to step up, determined to gain control of the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to major crime boss takes center stage, giving “The Penguin” a mafia drama vibe that’s more akin to “The Sopranos” than a traditional superhero series. The series cleverly avoids relying too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing Penguin to really shine as a lead. Without the overpowering presence of Gotham’s protector, a new and interesting dynamic emerges, with Oswald free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre, adding depth to the Gotham crime world without focusing too much on superhero spectacle. Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetics, Farrell embodies the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the insecurities and ambition that drive him.

Farrell adds more layers to the character and goes beyond the stereotypical villain portrayal

The Penguin is no longer just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; instead, he is portrayed as a ruthless, calculated player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, making him both terrifying and oddly sympathetic. His Oswald Cobblepot is smart, manipulative, and ready to break bones, yet he is also a man driven by a deep-rooted inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s crime world is engaging and offers a grounded approach to the character, making “The Penguin” a fascinating character study. Gritty Atmosphere and Tone In terms of atmosphere, “The Penguin” maintains the same gritty and rainy aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman. The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully filmed, with an emphasis on realism rather than comic book extravagance. The tone of the show is gritty, violent, and full of tension, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers.

The dingy clubs, run-down alleys and opulent criminal mansions add to the immersive feel of the show

Every scene is steeped in the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it feels like danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves’ film, Gotham City.