Exclusive: The Penguin stars tell us what the fan love means to them, where the show’s going

Exclusive: The Penguin stars tell us what the fan love means to them, where the show's going

As a long-time comic book enthusiast who grew up watching Tim Burton’s Batman trilogy and Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight saga, I can confidently say that The Penguin on HBO is an absolute game-changer. Having been captivated by the dark and gritty world of Gotham City since my childhood, seeing this adaptation unfold week after week feels like a dream come true.

The Penguin series remains a hit on HBO, consistently delivering top-notch episodes. According to Variety, viewership for the show has been steadily increasing each week; the premiere drew in approximately 1.3 million viewers, while the second episode saw 1.6 million, the fourth saw 1.7 million, and the most recent one attracted 1.8 million. This is a much-needed success for Warner Bros. Discovery following the underperformance of the latest Joker film.

There are only three episodes remaining this season. What can we expect? We had an opportunity to talk with cast and crew members during New York Comic Con to gather insights, first among them being Cristin Milioti, who portrays Sofia Gigante, the emerging crime queenpin…or should I say, don’t catch me off guard!

Miloti shared some thoughts on the audience’s reaction to the show, describing it as “quite stunning.” As a child, Miloti developed a passion for the Batman universe after watching “Batman Returns” in 1992, a film she claims left an indelible mark on her.

I was scared, I was thrilled, I was so drawn to it. And so if anyone is feeling a modicum of that…it’s a dream to be able to do that…It’s meant a lot to me.

Colin Farrell has garnered much acclaim for his portrayal of the main character in “The Penguin,” but it’s Cristin Milioti who is capturing attention; she’s delivering performances that match Farrell’s and is creating a villain that will be etched in our memories for a long time. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc shared insights about developing Sofia’s character with us:

LeFranc shared with us his desire to develop a character in a way he had longed for as a child: a complex woman who was both flawed and troubling, yet relatable. He expressed concern that women in crime dramas often lack depth, despite being well-acted. These characters may be appealing, but they lack background or relatable traits. LeFranc seized the opportunity to create more intricate characters instead, crafting individuals who fit the narrative without being included merely for the sake of it.

Rhenzy Feliz says Vic is on a “dangerous path” on The Penguin

Well, let me tell ya as a gamer, this series is all about my character, Oswald Cobb, who’s destined to become the notorious Penguin. Now, things are heating up since Sofia’s joined forces with Sal Maroni, one tough rival mobster. In the recent episode, Oz went and torched Sal’s family, so you can imagine how ticked off Sal is right now.

It’s worth noting that Sal has a pattern of underestimating Oz, which might work in his favor. However, actor Clancy Brown, portraying Sal, isn’t optimistic that this habit will transform in the future.

According to Brown, Sal doesn’t regard Oz with any respect. In fact, Sal dislikes Oz intensely. He often sees Oz as a contemptible individual. He also believes Oz is beneath him in every way. Let’s see if this attitude towards Oz serves him well.

In addition to Oz, there are others who support him, such as Victor, a young man left without a family after a flood devastated parts of Gotham City in the 2022 film “The Batman”. Typically, Victor wouldn’t be involved with criminal activities, but, as actor Rhenzy Feliz shared with us, bereaved and seeking a sense of belonging, he finds Oz offers him a path. Whether this direction is beneficial remains uncertain.

He’s on a road now. He’s made a decision…It’s a dangerous path, with Oz in the middle of this battle, this war. And that’s directly impacted by what’s happened to his family. I think all of his actions have to do with that. But when you don’t have time to deal and grieve, you just kind of got to put the next foot forward…until you get where you’re going. He doesn’t have the luxury of having time to sit and think and to grieve and to process this thing. I think he realizes, ‘I can either go to California, and have this life that I don’t really want, or I can try something and go for something here that’s gonna maybe work out for me. I’m gonna go with Oz, I’m gonna do this thing, I’m gonna be a part of something bigger than just me. Let’s go for it.’

Let’s cross our fingers that he makes it through the show okay. After The Penguin is over, Oz at least will show up in The Batman Part II, which is due in theaters in 2026. Honestly, I’m enjoying The Penguin more than I enjoyed that movie, and I wonder if we’ll ever get a sequel series. “I think there’s always room for more of that,” Lauren LeFranc told ScreenRant. “If the story can be even better, absolutely.”

But that’ll be then. For now, new episodes of The Penguin air on HBO and Max on Sunday nights.

2024-10-22 20:42