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The DC Studios logo is set in a rainy Gotham alley
Plot
Following the events of The Batman (2022), Oz Cobb, aka The Penguin, makes a move to take over the criminal underworld in Gotham. From melting makeup to filming in freezing temperatures, Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti discuss how they got into character during the production of “The Penguin”. Colin Farrell fought hard to get his version of The Penguin to smoke tobacco in The Batman (2022), but was unsuccessful. For his own series, however, the character is depicted as an occasional tobacco user, with a preference for cigars. An umbrella falls and the logo changes to the Warner Bros.
Appeared in Graham Norton The Gossips: Lady Gaga/Demi Moore/Colin Farrell/Richard Ayoade/Jack Savoretti (2024)
logo. HBO’s new show The Penguin, a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), is a thrilling dive into Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Led by Colin Farrell as the titular character Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, this series expands on the gritty, noir tone set by the film and offers fans a new 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 infamous foes. Synopsis Set immediately after the events of The Batman, the series explores Penguin’s journey to fill the power vacuum left in Gotham’s criminal empire.
Colin Farrell’s Performance Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Penguin is nothing short of extraordinary
With Carmine Falcone dead and Gotham’s infrastructure in shambles, Penguin seizes the opportunity to rise through the ranks, determined to assert control over the city’s crime syndicates. His transformation from underboss to major crime lord is the main focus, giving The Penguin a mob drama feel that’s more akin to The Sopranos than a traditional superhero series. The series smartly avoids relying too heavily on Batman’s shadow, allowing Penguin to truly shine as the protagonist. Without the oppressive presence of Gotham’s protector, it creates a new and interesting dynamic, where Oswald is free to operate in a morally ambiguous space. This narrative shift feels fresh for the genre and adds depth to Gotham’s criminal underworld without focusing too much on superhero spectacle.
Farrell adds layers to the character, going beyond the stereotypical portrayal of a villain
Physically unrecognizable in his prosthetic makeup, Farrell fully inhabits the character with a nuanced performance that balances the brutality of a mob boss with the securities and ambition that drive him. No longer is Penguin just a caricature of a deformed, umbrella-wielding villain; Instead, he is depicted as a ruthless and calculating player in Gotham’s criminal hierarchy, which makes him both terrifying and strangely sympathetic. His Oswald Cobblepot is cunning, manipulative and ready to break bones, but he is also a man driven by a deep inferiority complex and a desire for respect. Watching him navigate the treacherous waters of Gotham’s criminal underworld is compelling and provides 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, rain-soaked aesthetic that fans loved in The Batman.
The tone of the show is dark, violent and tense, reminiscent of neo-noir crime thrillers
The dark, crime-ridden streets of Gotham are beautifully shot, with an emphasis on realism over comic book extravagance. Every scene is imbued with the corruption and decay of Gotham, and it seems as if danger lurks in every shadow. The production design is top-notch, with set pieces that feel like a natural extension of Reeves’ Gotham City. The seedy clubs, run-down alleys, and opulent mansions of crime lords all contribute to the show’s immersive feel.