Matt Reeves is now busy crafting the sequel, The Batman – Part II, set for an October 2026 release. In the meantime, fans can anticipate the next chapter in this gritty crime saga: a spin-off series centered on The Penguin, with Colin Farrell reprising his role as the iconic villain.
The Penguin is set exactly one week after the events of The Batman Part 1. Following Carmine Falcone’s death, Oswald Cobblepot, aka the Penguin, seeks to seize the power vacuum left behind. He faces off against Sofia Falcone in what Colin Farrell has described as a “gruesome” and “dark” series.
The show boasts an impressive cast including Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, Michael Kelly as Johnny Viti, Shohreh Aghdashloo as Nadia Maroni, Deirdre O’Connell as Francis Cobb, Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, James Madio as Milos Grapa, Scott Cohen as Luca Falcone, Michael Zegen as Alberto Falcone, Carmen Ejogo as Eve Karlo, and Theo Rossi as Dr. Julian Rush.
With the review embargo lifted just days before its release, early reactions are already in. The show currently holds an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 reviews!
This HBO show is a fantastic addition to a DC franchise that benefits from this. The rich, textured characters push the show forward, and every time we have more character-centric episodes, The Penguin is at its best.
Jonathan Sim, ComingSoon.net
The Penguin is a masterful look at an iconic character in a way we have never seen before through the most transformative acting performance Colin Farrell has ever done.
Alex Maidy, JoBlo’s Movie Network
Colin Farrell cements his interpretation of The Penguin as one of the greatest live-action comic book villains of all time.
Jacob Fisher, Discussing Film
If you’re familiar with [Cristin Milioti’s] work from Palm Springs and How I Met Your Mother, her charm as an actor will be unsurprising, but it’s the sheer brutality that she brings to her role that really takes everything up a notch.
Fay Watson, Total Film
A superhero spinoff series serving as a Trumpian allegory at all is worth appreciating, as is Farrell burying his disarming charms behind 50 pounds of latex without concealing his considerable talents.
Ben Travers, IndieWire
Based on the early reviews, The Penguin looks set to be a strong addition—if not a standout masterpiece—to Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe! Catch the premiere on Max this Thursday, September 19.
