The Penguin showrunner tells us how she chose which comic book characters to include (and exclude)

As a lifelong fan of DC Comics and someone who has been following the Batman saga since I was a kid, let me tell you that HBO’s The Penguin has truly outdone itself. With its character-driven narrative and focus on developing not just Oz Cobblepot but also its supporting characters, it feels like a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre.

Ever since it debuted in September, HBO’s “The Penguin” has consistently garnered praise from ardent DC Comics enthusiasts, casual viewers, and critics. As a sequel spin-off to Matt Reeves’ film “The Batman,” the limited series delves deeper into the criminal realm of Gotham while simultaneously standing on its own as an individual tale apart from the larger superhero saga. It’s a delightful blend of continuity and freshness, and I think it’s safe to say that most viewers have been quite taken with “The Penguin.

In The Penguin series, action abounds, but what truly shines is the character development. Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), and Vic Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) are all richly portrayed characters, demonstrating the creators’ dedication to their personal stories. Unlike some shows that overload with DC superheroes or villains for viewer appeal, this one focuses on its characters. Before its release, it was announced that Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, would not be featured – a decision I wholeheartedly agree with.

The Penguin‘s Lauren LeFranc interview

At New York Comic Con last Thursday, the 17th of October, I was fortunate enough to chat with Lauren LeFranc, the mastermind behind “The Penguin.” During our conversation, I inquired about her approach to selecting which DC characters make it into her narrative and which ones don’t. Her response, reflecting the skill and care she puts into her work, would have convinced me even without prior knowledge of the series: I can’t wait for more opportunities for Lauren LeFranc to work on future DC projects!

With Oz being undeniably crucial in “The Penguin“, LeFranc recognized that he was the top priority when deciding on the cast of secondary characters.

As a gamer diving into the story, I began by exploring the character’s depth – understanding his fears, desires, and origins. That’s what drew Francis (Deirdre O’Connell) to me. I delved into comic books for inspiration, aiming to pay tribute while also ensuring I grasped Oz’s psychological profile.

Speaking as a devoted admirer, let me share some insights about the Falcone family, as revealed by LeFranc. In the comic books, she chose not to include Mario, one of the siblings, intentionally emphasizing the bond between Sofia and Alberto through a sibling-sibling relationship. As for Sofia, LeFranc meticulously crafted her character, ensuring every detail reflected a deliberate choice.

And then to bring in Sofia, I wanted to make sure I just evolved her as a character in a way that I kind of wished for when I was a kid. Just have a complicated woman who is flawed and kind of problematic, but you can empathize with. I just felt like in this universe, and also in crime dramas in general, sometimes the women are shortchanged. You could love a character, maybe because the actor is amazing, but they don’t have a backstory to actually dig deeper.

Although people are loving Farrell’s performance as Oz, I think the most surprising element of the show is Milioti as Sofia. Both her portrayal and the character are incredible, and I’m so happy this writing-acting team brought her to life as they have. She is truly a scene-stealer.

When conversing with LeFranc at New York Comic Con, her final thoughts that resonated strongly were: “I aimed to develop characters for the story that made sense, rather than adding them randomly.” Here’s hoping more individuals will embrace this approach — I see you, Hollywood producers!

You can watch our conversation with Lauren LeFranc on our TikTok here.

Enthusiastic supporters might appreciate seeing familiar characters pop up in various productions, but it often weakens the narrative if these appearances lack purpose beyond catering to fan expectations. I may be an avid fan of certain shows or personalities, but I’d prefer a well-crafted series or film that resonates with me over trivial Easter eggs and cameos.

There are only four more installments of “The Penguin” remaining, and I’m confident they’ll live up to expectations. Tune in every Sunday evening on HBO and Max, and don’t forget to revisit us at “Winter is Coming” for our ongoing episode reviews.

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2024-10-18 18:41