The HBO series The Penguin has quickly captivated fans of the DC Universe with Colin Farrell’s gripping portrayal of Oswald Cobb, aka The Penguin, a ruthless underworld figure in Gotham City. As season one concludes on such a high note, fans are already asking: will there be a season 2 of The Penguin? Here’s a detailed look at everything we know about The Penguin season 2, its potential release date, cast expectations, and the future of Gotham’s most ambitious villain.
Spoilers for The Penguin season 1 ahead
What is The Penguin series all about?
The Penguin series builds on Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022), where Colin Farrell’s chilling (and total) transformation into the Penguin earned widespread acclaim. In the series, we probe deeper into the character’s life as he manoeuvres his way up the crime ladder in Gotham City, carving his own empire amidst rival factions (he basically destroys the Falcone and Maroni crime families). Through intense storytelling, Farrell’s and Cristin Milioti’s powerful performances and that shocking, heart-rending ending, The Penguin has given fans an unforgettable look into the Gotham crime scene and now we want a season 2.
Will there be a The Penguin season 2?
Up until now, HBO has not ordered a season 2 for The Penguin, and we actually know that it was planned out as a miniseries. But given the enormous success the show elicited among its audience and from critics, many believe Warner Bros just might go ahead and extend it beyond just a single season. That is still a little uncertain, though. However, there is cause for hope.
We do know that Farrell himself has expressed willingness to reprise the role in a potential season 2. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he said, “If there’s a great idea [for season two], and the writing was really muscular and as strong or stronger on the page than it was the first season, of course I would do it.”
The showrunner Lauren LeFranc has also conveyed similar thoughts. In an interview with The Direct, she said, “I mean, we put it all out on the table. I think that in order to do a second season, we have to feel like we can top ourselves. We have to feel like there’s something more there to really dig into. I mean, I really care about all these characters, even if they’re terrible people.”
Matt Reeves himself was asked about it. He told The Hollywood Reporter: “Everything is on the table. But at the end of the day, we feel like there are more stories to tell in this world. So me and Lauren and [producer Dylan Clark] and Colin are talking and we’re trying to figure out whatever it is, it has to dig into this in a way that feels earned the way this was.” It is not wholly promising, but it is what it is.
It must be noted that the Bat-verse was created by Reeves’ The Batman (2022) and is in no way related to the DC Universe (DCU) that James Gunn is building. Rather, it is its own self-contained universe of Batman movies and shows.
Gunn has said that every DC movie or show that will not be in the DCU shared universe will be in the Elseworlds brand, which in comics explores alternate-universe versions of popular DC heroes and villains. The Joker movies, including the sequel, Joker Folie à Deux, are also in Elseworlds.
Potential The Penguin season 2 release date
Even if HBO immediately greenlights The Penguin Season 2, fans should be prepared for a possible wait. So what is the The Penguin season 2 release date that we should expect? Such productions take a lot in pre-production since scripts for their episodes are complex and stories and characters take a while for writers to put into place. It’s likely that a potential release date would be sometime in 2026 after the release of The Batman: Part II or even later. The ending of the show teased a possible spinoff featuring Milioti’s Sofia Falcone and Selina Kyle or Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz) as the former received a letter from the latter who claimed they are cousins.
The first season’s production required significant time due to the extensive makeup, costuming, and visual effects that make Gotham City (and its underbelly) feel authentic, so another season would likely follow a similar timeline.
What could happen in The Penguin season 2?
If The Penguin continues, season 2 could probe even deeper into Oz Cobblepot’s rise to power. Actually, season 2’s plot will depend on what happens in The Batman: Part II. We might see Oswald face new challenges, both from new rival crime lords and law enforcement in Gotham, as he seeks to solidify his control over the city.
Additionally, The Penguin season 2 could introduce more iconic characters from Batman’s rogues gallery that will add to the complexity of Gotham’s criminal landscape.
The Penguin season 2 cast
Who will be in the cast of The Penguin season 2? A second season of The Penguin would most likely see Colin Farrell reprising his role as the titular character. Farrell’s transformation into Cobblepot is a huge part of the show’s appeal, so his return is essential. Other potential returning cast members include Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. As far as the return of Victor “Vic” Aguilar is concerned, unfortunately, that won’t be possible because we saw him being choked to death by Oz. Though he might potentially return in flashbacks, we are not counting on it.
To conclude, The Penguin was planned as a limited series, the demand for further storytelling of Batman’s villain might just change the mind of execs at HBO and Warner Bros for season 2. As anticipation rises with each passing day, it may only be a matter of time before we hear the news, positive or negative. We do wish it is greenlit as it will allow the writers to probe deeper into the underbelly of Gotham and Oz Cobb’s character. All that we can do at the moment is hope the execs see the merit in the expansion of Penguin’s tale.
Watch The Penguin in India on JioCinema here.
(Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As of now, The Penguin is a limited series with one season. However, fan interest and positive reception might lead HBO to consider future instalments or spin-offs.
While there’s no official confirmation, HBO might greenlight a second season if fan demand continues and viewership remains strong.
The first season is complete, but future updates could bring Oswald Cobblepot back if a new season or related spin-off is announced.
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Kshitij is a journalism graduate who did not initially intend to become a film critic, but such are the vagaries of destiny. Now, Kshitij is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild, bringing expertise and experience in evaluating entertainment content with him. Additionally, he serves as a jury member on the Critics' Choice Awards in India. When he's not busy wielding words, catch him nose-deep in books or joyfully lost in the realms of gaming and photography.
