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Entertainment • TV Series

The Penguin

The Penguin is an American superhero crime drama miniseries developed by Lauren LeFranc for HBO.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Penguin is an American superhero crime drama miniseries developed by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. It is a spin-off from the 2022 film The Batman and follows Oswald “Oz” Cobb’s rise in Gotham City’s criminal underworld. Colin Farrell reprises his role as the title character, with Cristin Milioti among the supporting cast.

Premise

The series is set in Gotham City after the events of The Batman and follows Oz Cobb as he exploits a power vacuum in the city’s criminal hierarchy. It focuses on organized crime, rivalry, and his rise to power.

Production

Lauren LeFranc developed the miniseries for HBO in association with DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television. Colin Farrell headlines the cast, reprising the Penguin from The Batman.

Release

The Penguin premiered on September 19, 2024, and concluded on November 10, 2024. It was released as an eight-episode limited series on HBO and Max. Canadian viewers could watch the series through HBO/Max distribution in markets where those services were available, and Sky’s international coverage notes the series aired in some regions outside the United States.

Reception

The series received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, writing, direction, tone, and production values. It also earned major awards attention, including Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

Key facts

  • The series is a spin-off of The Batman (2022) and continues that film’s crime story.
  • It centers on Oswald “Oz” Cobb’s attempt to gain control of Gotham City’s criminal underworld.
  • Colin Farrell reprises his role as Oz Cobb / the Penguin.
  • The series ran for eight episodes and premiered in September 2024.
  • It received strong critical reception and multiple award nominations.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers could watch the series through HBO/Max distribution in markets where those services were available, and Sky’s international coverage notes the series aired in some regions outside the United States.[3]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Penguin about?
It follows Oswald “Oz” Cobb as he seeks power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld after the events of The Batman.
Is The Penguin a sequel to The Batman?
It is a spin-off set after The Batman (2022), not a theatrical sequel.
Who plays the Penguin?
Colin Farrell plays Oswald “Oz” Cobb, also known as the Penguin.
How many episodes does The Penguin have?
The series has eight episodes.
When did The Penguin premiere?
It premiered on September 19, 2024.
Did The Penguin receive awards recognition?
Yes. It received multiple accolades and was nominated for 24 Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Penguin_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series type, creator, premise, episode count, release window, cast, and awards recognition.
  2. HBO Max — https://www.hbomax.com/shows/penguin/5756c2bf-36f8-4890-b1f9-ef168f1d8e9c
    Supports: Official premise, episode count, lead cast, and development credit.
  3. Sky — https://www.sky.com/watch/the-penguin
    Supports: International release information, episode count, and relationship to The Batman.
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-penguin/1060471628/
    Supports: Year, season count, platform, genre, and TV-MA rating.