Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Series

The Penguin

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

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

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.

What it is

The series is set in Gotham City after the events of The Batman. It follows Oz Cobb as he exploits a power vacuum in the city’s criminal hierarchy, focusing on organized crime and rivalry. Colin Farrell reprises his role as the Penguin, with Cristin Milioti among the supporting cast. The eight-episode miniseries was created by Lauren LeFranc and produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television.

Why it matters

The Penguin received widespread critical acclaim for its performances, writing, direction, tone, and production values. It earned major awards attention, including 24 Primetime Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations. The series continues the story of The Batman and expands the world of Gotham in a grounded crime drama.

Key details

The series premiered on September 19, 2024, and concluded on November 10, 2024, on HBO and Max. It runs for eight episodes. Canadian viewers could watch through HBO/Max distribution in markets where available.

In short

  • Spin-off of The Batman (2022)
  • Colin Farrell stars as the Penguin
  • Eight-episode limited series
  • Critically acclaimed with multiple award nominations
Canadian angle

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]

Quick 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.
Who plays the Penguin?
Colin Farrell plays Oswald “Oz” Cobb.
How many episodes does The Penguin have?
The series has eight episodes.

Sources

  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.