by Jonathan Klotz
| Updated
Big-budget gothic horror series are so rare that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and what's even more unusual is that one has been allowed to run long enough to tell an entire story from beginning to end. 10 years ago, Penny appalling It premiered on Showtime, bringing viewers into dark Victorian London where ghosts are real.
Dr. Frankenstein is the main character, and everywhere you look, there is a demon-worshiping cult looking for new sacrifices. There was nothing quite like it Penny appalling Since then, it's a miracle that we've had these strange, uneven series where every frame looks like a piece of art.
Penny Dreadful takes full advantage of gothic horror in the public domain
Penny appalling It begins with multiple stories that occasionally intersect: the main story shows Malcolm Murray (former James Bond Timothy Dalton) searching for his daughter with the help of her childhood friend Vanessa (Eva Green), a psychic. Running alongside it is the story of Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway, who was Narek in it Star Trek: Picard) and his creature (another Bond alumni, Rory Kinnear) quietly lurk on the outskirts of society.
Finally, we have Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney) in all his fun glory, which is sometimes useful, sometimes the devil on someone's shoulder. And there's Ethan (Josh Hartnett), an American in London who meets a mysterious nobleman for mysterious reasons.
Like Alan Moore League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Hugh Jackman Van Helsing, Penny appalling Makes full use of classic characters available in the public domain. This is a big part of the fun of the series, which ends up bringing in werewolves, vampires, Jekyll/Hyde, Jack the Ripper, and others whose names might be a spoiler. Be as blind as possible to the various twists, turns, betrayals and surprise appearances if you can help it.
Penny Dreadful has no detractors, the second season is universally loved by those who watched it
Penny appalling Season 1 is the weakest of the three, while Season 2 earns the rare distinction of a 100% fresh rating while taking the story in a completely new direction. This is thanks Dr. Who Billie Piper, who gives the best performance of her career, and the show's creative team, who found the right balance between macabre and dark humor. Season 3 moves parts of the story to America, replacing Victorian London with the Wild West, and despite the drastic changes to the setting, it still works.
Each season was nominated for and won multiple awards, including the Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Eva Green as Best Television Actress for the second season. It may not be a fancy award, but when producing a horror series, there is no higher honor than recognition from horror fans. Your job.
There is a sub-series featuring the most prominent Star Trek characters
The three chapters tell the full story Penny appallingBut years after the show ended, it returned with a spin-off, Penny Dreadful: City of AngelsStarring Natalie Dormer as Magda. She is a shape-shifting demon who is of no use in 1938 Los Angeles.
It only lasted one season, but while the original series included Shazad Latif, better known as Ash Tyler V Star Trek: DiscoveryThe spin-off includes Ethan Peck, Discovery Spock, along The next generation Brent Spinner. Steeped in Mexican folklore, it's not as enjoyable as the gothic horror of the original Victorian London, but it's still a beautiful, well-acted series that stands out today.
Originally a Showtime series, Penny appalling It has been released and is now available on Pluto TV In addition Paramount+. Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Only available for purchase online Amazon, YouTube, Apple TVand Voodoo. If you've never watched the original and want something different and upbeat, or you're craving a big-budget gothic horror series capable of telling a full story ten years later, there's still something better.
