HBO Max’s The Penguin just boarded Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Deirdre O’Connell as additional cast members on the series. Deadline reports that the trio will be joining Colin Farrell on the series. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti will be leading the ensemble cast as The Penguin and daughter of Gotham mob Sofia Falcone, respectively.
Aside from the three additional cast members, Rhenzy Feliz is also confirmed to join the show. The series will have eight episodes. Aside from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti’s characters, the roles to be portrayed by the additional cast members are being kept under wraps. The release date of the series is expected to be around early 2024.
Warner Bros Television is set to produce the series in partnership with DC Studios. The Penguin will continue the storyline of the film. As previously reported, the plot will mainly focus on Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot as the sarcastic Gotham City crime lord rises to the top. The Penguin soon became the power player on the Gotham’s underworld. It was also reported that the series sees the aftermath of the flooding in the Gotham City.
The Spectacular World That Matt Reeves Created
Farrell shared some details on the series. He told Extra as reported by Motion Pictures, “[The Penguin] starts about a week after the film The Batman ends. So Gotham is still somewhat underwater… I read the first script for the first episode, and it opens up with my feet splashing through the water in Falcone’s office. Even just that alone, I read it, I was like, ‘Oh, jeez.’ It’s lovely. It’s so well-written.”
The actor is excited for everyone to see the series. On a separate interview with Radio Times, he said, “The world that Matt Reeves created for The Batman is one that warrants a deeper gaze through the eyes of Oswald Cobblepot. I couldn’t be more excited about continuing this exploration of Oz as he rises through the darkened ranks to become The Penguin. Will be good to get him back on the streets of Gotham for a little madness and a little mayhem.”
The series showrunner Lauren LeFranc added, “I have long been a fan of the world of The Batman, and Matt’s film is such a powerful and bold entry into the canon. I am excited and humbled to continue telling stories in the grimy world of Gotham City – and what better excuse to channel my inner villain than to tell the story of Oswald Cobblepot?”
