The dark and gritty world of Gotham City, as envisioned by Matt Reeves in “The Batman”, has expanded with “The Penguin”, a gripping series delving into the criminal underbelly of this iconic metropolis. While Robert Pattinson’s Batman remains in the shadows for now, with fans eagerly awaiting “The Batman 2”, this series shines a spotlight on one of his most compelling adversaries.
“The Penguin” centers on Oz Cobb, portrayed masterfully by Colin Farrell, charting his ascent through Gotham’s criminal hierarchy in the immediate aftermath of “The Batman”. However, Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti, emerges as a formidable force, adding complexity and intrigue to Oz’s ambitions. From its premiere, “The Penguin” has captivated audiences and critics alike, quickly establishing itself as a standout addition to Max’s impressive lineup of shows, and generating considerable buzz around how many episodes this thrilling ride will entail.
If you’re hooked on Oz Cobb’s cunning maneuvers and power plays, you’re likely wondering about the complete roadmap of this series. Here’s a detailed guide to the “The Penguin” episode release schedule, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the unfolding drama.
‘The Penguin’ Episode Release Schedule
(Image credit: Warner Bros. Discovery)
Initially launched on Thursday, September 19th with its debut episode, “The Penguin” has shifted its release pattern. To catch new episodes, tune in to HBO and Max on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Below is the complete schedule of released and upcoming episodes, so you can meticulously plan your viewing and know exactly how many episodes to anticipate in this season:
- Episode 1, “After Hours”: Thursday, September 19
- Episode 2, “Inside Man”: Sunday, September 29
- Episode 3, “Bliss”: Sunday, October 6
- Episode 4, “Cent’Anni”: Sunday, October 13
- Episode 5, “Homecoming”: Sunday, October 20
- Episode 6, “Gold Summit”: Sunday, October 27
- Episode 7, “Top Hat”: Sunday November 3
- Episode 8, “Great or Little Thing”: Sunday, November 10
Therefore, answering the burning question of How Many Episodes Of The Penguin there are in its first season, the series consists of eight episodes. This allows for a substantial and immersive exploration of Oz Cobb’s character and Gotham’s intricate criminal landscape.
Will There Be a ‘The Penguin’ Season 2?
(Image credit: Macall Polay/HBO)
As of now, the future of “The Penguin” beyond its initial run remains uncertain. HBO has not officially announced whether it will return for a second season. It is currently conceived as a limited series, suggesting a self-contained narrative arc for these eight episodes.
However, the possibility of further installments hasn’t been entirely dismissed. Matt Reeves, in an interview with TheWrap, expressed enthusiasm for expanding the Gotham universe on HBO, hinting at potential future projects centered around Batman’s iconic villains.
Reeves stated, “I can tell you this: we would love to be able to do more. But I can also say that we are already talking to HBO about [more].” This indicates ongoing conversations and a desire to continue exploring these characters and storylines within the HBO/Max ecosystem.
He further elaborated on the potential for delving deeper into characters who might not get sufficient screen time in the feature films, “The opportunity of being able to then on HBO, go and explore characters that wouldn’t be able to have that kind of real estate creatively, as we were able to do with Oz, that is something that we are talking to HBO about… They’re very excited about that idea. That’s something that we really, really hope we’re going to be able to do. We’ve got ‘The Batman’. We’ve got ‘The Penguin’. And who knows what’s next”.
Despite this creative interest, Colin Farrell’s return for a potential second season might not be guaranteed. In an interview with Total Film, when questioned about reprising his role, Farrell acknowledged the demanding nature of the part, citing the extensive prosthetics and intense character immersion. While he enjoyed the experience, he expressed hesitation about immediately jumping back into Oz Cobb’s world.
Farrell mentioned, “Lauren [LeFranc, ‘The Penguin’ showrunner] said, ‘Look, if I could find a way that makes sense, would you talk about it?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ And maybe in a year, I would. But when I finished I was like, ‘I never want to put that fing suit and that fing head on again'”.
While Farrell’s initial comments suggested uncertainty, Reeves’ clear interest in continuing the narrative leaves the door open for future seasons. The critical and audience reception of the first eight episodes will likely play a significant role in determining whether “The Penguin” extends beyond its initial limited series format.
Should You Watch ‘The Penguin’?
(Image credit: Macall Polay/HBO)
Absolutely. “The Penguin” has garnered widespread critical acclaim and strong audience approval. Malcolm McMillan from Tom’s Guide hailed it as “a must-watch Max show”, praising it as “one of the best shows of the year so far.” Viewer responses have echoed this sentiment, solidifying its position as a top-tier series.
On Rotten Tomatoes, “The Penguin” boasts an impressive 94% critics’ rating based on over 100 reviews, and an 88% audience score from over 500 ratings. The critical consensus on the site reads: “Depicting Gotham through bone-breaking punches rather than popping onomatopoeia, ‘The Penguin’ is a grounded crime saga given gravitas by Colin Farrell and a scene-stealing Cristin Milioti.”
Review highlights further underscore the show’s quality. Lucy Mangan of The Guardian awarded it a perfect 5 stars, describing it as “a slick and powerful beast” with “enough action and heart to capture existing fans and create many more.”
Amon Warmann from Empire gave it 4 stars, noting that “The Penguin is a spin-off that makes this return to Gotham feel both necessary and earned, with excellent performances from Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti.”
Clint Worthington of RogerEbert.com summarized the show’s appeal: “‘The Penguin’ offers an intriguing push and pull between the grotesque and the grounded, a street-level crime drama nonetheless full of cartoonish mob stereotypes and over-the-top characters with elaborate axes to grind.”
In conclusion, with a definitive answer to how many episodes of The Penguin season 1 holds and overwhelming positive reception from critics and viewers, “The Penguin” is undoubtedly a series worth streaming. Its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and rich world-building make it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas, the Batman universe, and quality television in general.
