When it comes to Gotham, shadows aren’t just where villains hide they’re where power comes from. This time, we’re back in the thick of it with The Penguin, a new spin-off from Matt Reeves’ 2022 blockbuster The Batman, which brought Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight into a grittier, darker Gotham. But Gotham’s not just Batman’s turf anymore; now, Oswald “Oz” Cobb is stepping up to claim the city for himself, and with The Penguin on HBO, we’re all invited to see his ruthless rise.
The show picks up just after Carmine Falcone’s death and the chaos from The Batman, showing Oz (played by an almost unrecognizable Colin Farrell) as he claws his way up the criminal ranks. With HBO in the US and Crave streaming The Penguin episodes in Canada, here’s everything you need to know about The Penguin: from the gritty cast of characters to where to watch it, to how each episode unfolds.
Where to Watch The Penguin in Canada?
The series premiered on HBO in the US on September 19, 2024, and it’s also available to stream on Crave for Canadian viewers. New The Penguin episodes air every Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, streaming on Max in the US and Crave in Canada. For those traveling abroad, using a VPN like ExpressVPN can help bypass regional restrictions, ensuring you don’t miss a beat.
The Plot of The Penguin: Power in the Shadows
In the series, Farrell’s Oz Cobb is let loose, free from the shadow of Falcone and hungry for power. As the official plot synopsis teases, “The Penguin explores the rise to power of Oswald Cobb in Gotham City’s criminal underworld.”
With Gotham left in ruins from the events of The Batman, Oz eyes his chance to seize Falcone’s crumbling empire but he isn’t the only one. Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), Carmine’s daughter, is back from Arkham Asylum and just as ruthless as her father. As she battles Oz for control of Gotham’s underworld, their clash threatens to set the whole city on fire.
Farrell takes on Oz Cobb (formerly Cobblepot in the comics) with a mix of chilling ruthlessness and the complex vulnerability of a man craving respect. Over eight episodes, The Penguin takes us deep into Gotham’s criminal underbelly, exploring the ambitions, betrayals, and brutal choices that shape Oz’s rise. It’s a classic crime saga mixed with the dark, brooding tones that Matt Reeves brought to The Batman.
Cast of The Penguin: Who’s Who in Gotham’s Underworld?
The cast of The Penguin is stacked with talent, each bringing life to Gotham’s dark characters:
- Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb / The Penguin – Farrell’s portrayal is anything but cartoonish. Known for roles in In Bruges and The Lobster, he takes on Oz with both grit and depth.
- Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone – Known for Palm Springs and How I Met Your Mother, Milioti plays Falcone’s fierce daughter, ready to inherit the throne.
- Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar – The Encanto star plays Oz’s young driver, guiding the dangerous criminal world by his side.
- Michael Kelly as Johnny Vitti – A recognizable face from House of Cards, Kelly brings depth to this Falcone family underboss.
- Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni – Known for The Expanse, Aghdashloo portrays Sal Maroni’s wife, a powerful player in her own right.
Other notable cast members include Clancy Brown as mob boss Salvatore Maroni, Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb (Oz’s mother), and Mark Strong as Carmine Falcone, appearing through flashbacks.
A Crime Drama with Noir Style: What the Trailer Reveals
If you haven’t seen the trailer yet, brace yourself. The Penguin trailer wastes no time in immersing viewers into Gotham’s underworld with gut-wrenching scenes and a haunting soundtrack by Mick Giacchino.
Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb takes center stage in the teaser, showing his transformation from sidekick to power-hungry boss, with a demeanor that’s part Tony Soprano, part horror-film villain. The teaser, which premiered in March 2024, promises eight episodes filled with tension, betrayal, and a bit of brutal underworld philosophy from Oz himself.
The Penguin Episode Guide – Stay on Track with Oz’s Storyline
Here’s your full episode guide to The Penguin, along with release dates for each one:
- The Penguin Episode 1 – “After Hours” – Premieres Thursday, September 19
- The Penguin Episode 2 – “Inside Man” – Airs Sunday, September 29
- The Penguin Episode 3 – “Bliss” – Sunday, October 6
- The Penguin Episode 4 – “Cent’Anni” – Sunday, October 13
- The Penguin Episode 5 – “Homecoming” – Sunday, October 20
- The Penguin Episode 6 – “Gold Summit” – Sunday, October 27
- The Penguin Episode 7 – “Top Hat” – Sunday, November 3
- The Penguin Episode 8 – “Great or Little Thing” – Sunday, November 10
Each episode digs deeper into the power struggles and alliances that shape Gotham’s crime scene, so stay tuned to catch every twist in The Penguin episodes.
Behind the Scenes: Production and Development
Developed by Lauren LeFranc, known for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Penguin was green lit in 2022 after The Batman’s success, with Matt Reeves overseeing the writing and production team.
Filming began in early 2023 in New York City but was briefly halted due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes before wrapping up in February 2024. Craig Zobel directed the first three episodes, combining the show’s dark, gritty aesthetic with Mick Giacchino’s haunting score.
Critical Reception and Reviews: Is The Penguin Worth Watching?
With The Penguin reviews pouring in, it’s clear this gritty series is hitting the mark with critics and fans alike. IMDb users have rated The Penguin at a solid 8.8/10, while Rotten Tomatoes shows an impressive 94% critic approval rating, with an audience score close behind. Critics have particularly praised Farrell’s “intensely gripping” performance as Oz, which has been described as equal parts sinister and vulnerable.
Drawing comparisons to The Sopranos and The Godfather, The Penguin offers a character study that digs deep into Gotham’s criminal power plays. Colin Farrell, in particular, has been celebrated for bringing out Oz Cobb with an uncontrollable cruelty that’s both mesmerizing and terrifying, balancing the gritty world of Gotham with an unexpected depth. Cristin Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone has also garnered attention, adding to the twisted family dynamics that make this crime drama unforgettable.
Early The Penguin reviews highlight the series’ gripping, noir-style realism, while fans are raving about the chemistry of the cast and the show’s sophisticated take on the Gotham crime scene.
Is The Penguin Really Gotham’s Tony Soprano? See What Fans Are Saying on Reddit
Fans of The Sopranos may find themselves intrigued by The Penguin, which has sparked comparisons between its lead character, Oswald “Oz” Cobb, and Tony Soprano himself. While both are cutthroat mob figures, the similarities may end there. As one viewer pointed out, Oz isn’t just a “bulky mob boss” like Tony he’s a calculating, deceptive strategist who manipulates from the shadows. Unlike Tony’s upfront, often conflicted loyalty to friends and family, Oz is underhanded, hiding his motives from everyone except his driver, Victor Aguilar.
Check out the full Reddit thread here.
Final Thoughts: The Penguin – Gotham’s New Kingpin?
The beauty of The Penguin lies in its ruthless honesty. This isn’t the polished, sanitized Gotham we often see; it’s raw, unforgiving, and morally complex. As Oz Cobb fights for the throne, we’re reminded that Gotham’s underworld has a new, bloodthirsty ruler, and he’s not stopping until he claims what he sees as rightfully his.
Whether you’re here for Farrell’s intense performance or the twisted dynamics of Gotham’s crime families, The Penguin delivers an unforgettable look at the underbelly of Gotham like never before. So grab your remote and get ready because Gotham’s about to get a lot darker.
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