Plot: The transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
This penguin series was great.
Pros: Colin Farrell is still looking unrecognisable as Oswald. I like that we get more from this world from the batman movie. This show is so good staying consistent with its story telling. I enjoy the relationship between Oz and Victor throughout. Most of the cast was incredible. Sofia was an unbelievable opponent for Oz and the finale was shocking and intense.
Cons: The only problem was involving the misuse of the Salvatore character.
Genre: Crime drama; Gangster; Superhero
Created by Lauren LeFranc
Showrunner: Lauren LeFranc
Producers:Dana Robin; Nick Towne; Corina Maritescu; Claudine Farrell
Based on Penguin; by: Bill Finger; Bob Kane
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti & Rhenzy Feliz.
Music by Mick Giacchino
Executive producers: Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, Daniel Pipski, Adam Kassan, Lauren LeFranc, Craig Zobel, Bill Carraro
Producers: Dana Robin, Nick Towne, Corina Maritescu, Claudine Farrell
Production location: New York
Cinematography: Darran Tiernan
Editors: Henk Van Eeghen, Andy Keir
Production companies: Acid and Tender Productions, 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company, Dylan Clark Productions, Chapel Place Productions, Zobot Projects, DC Studios, Warner Bros. Television
Network: HBO
Casts & Characters:
Main
- Colin Farrell as Oswald “Oz” Cobb / The Penguin:
The disfigured former chief lieutenant of deceased crime boss Carmine Falcone who is on the rise to becoming a criminal kingpin in his own right. - Cristin Milioti as Sofia Gigante (née Falcone):
Carmine’s daughter and a presumed psychopathic serial killer who, after being released from Arkham Asylum, fights Oz for control of Gotham City‘s criminal underworld. Initially referred to as “Sofia Falcone”, she later adopts her mother’s surname “Gigante” to spite her father’s memory. - Rhenzy Feliz as Victor “Vic” Aguilar:
A homeless teenager who becomes Oz’s driver and personal enforcer. Victor’s characterization incorporates elements from that of Jason Todd, the second character to assume the persona of Batman‘s sidekick Robin, although he is not a direct adaptation. - Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb: Oz’s mother who suffers from Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia.
- Clancy Brown as Salvatore “Sal” Maroni: A mob boss and drug trafficker whose operation ended following a historic drug bust, in which Carmine was the informant.
- Carmen Ejogo as Eve Karlo: A prostitute and Oz’s lover.
- Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone: Carmine’s son and Sofia’s brother, who struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
- Berto Colón as Castillo: an enforcer of the Falcone organization loyal to Sofia.
- James Madio as Milos Grapa: A consigliere for the Falcone family and Carmine’s former bodyguard.
- Joshua Bitton as Mikey Stone: A prison guard at Blackgate who secretly works for Oz.
- David H. Holmes as Nick Fuchs: An enforcer for Oz.
- Daniel J. Watts as Bruno Tess: One of Oz’s loyal enforcers.
- Ben Cook as Calvin: A street teenager and friend of Vic’s.
- Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál: The mayor-elect of Gotham. Lawson reprises her role from The Batman.
- Michael Kelly as Johnny Viti: The underboss of the Falcone crime family and acting boss following Carmine’s death.
- Mark Strong as Carmine Falcone:
A deceased Gotham crime boss and the father of Sofia, Alberto, and Selina Kyle. Falcone appears through flashbacks, with Strong replacing The Batman actor John Turturro. - Scott Cohen as Luca Falcone: Carmine’s brother and retired consigliere who succeeds him as boss of the Falcone crime family.
- Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni: Salvatore’s wife.
- Theo Rossi as Dr. Julian Rush: A former psychiatrist at Arkham and Sofia’s therapist.
- Aleksa Palladino as Carla Viti: Sofia’s cousin and Johnny’s daughter.
- Craig Walker as Detective Marcus Wise: A corrupt former cop who is working for Sofia in exchange for drugs.
- Tess Soltau as Tina Falcone: Luca’s wife and Johnny’s mistress.
- Marié Botha as Magpie: An Arkham inmate imprisoned for serial theft, who torments Sofia during her incarceration.
- Jared Abrahamson as Squid: A drug dealer from Crown Point who Victor has known since before the flood.
- Nadine Malouf as Summer Gleeson: A journalist who becomes one of the Hangman’s victims.
- Con O’Neill as GCPD Chief Mackenzie Bock. O’Neill reprises his role from The Batman.
- Louis Cancelmi as Rex Calabrese: A gangster from Oz’s youth who he describes as a revered community figure.
- Nico Tirozzi as Benny Cobb: Oz’s brother.
- Owen Asztalos as Jack Cobb: Oz’s brother.
- Ade Otukoya as Zeke: Oz’s henchman.
Recurring:
- Aria Shahghasemi as Taj Maroni: The son of Salvatore and Nadia Maroni.
- François Chau as Feng Zhao: Head of the Gotham Triads, a medium-sized gang with international connections that runs nightclubs and casinos.
Guest:
- Rhys Coiro as Councilman Sebastian Hady: An influential Gotham politician with a gambling addiction.
- Emily Meade as Young Francis Cobb
Peter McDonald appears as GCPD Detective William Kenzie in “Cent’Anni“, reprising his role from The Batman; he is credited as a co-star during the end credits along with Rupert Penry-Jones as Don Mitchell Jr., also reprising his role from The Batman in a silent cameo at the beginning of “Homecoming“.
I highly recommend watching this new series on Your Sky TV.
Rating: 10 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe