Penguin Meets Max: Oz Cobb’s Rise in Gotham’s Darkness

Colin Farrell remains in his role as Oz between takes on the set of ‘The Penguin’. (The Art of The Batman Twitter)

HBO and Max are ready for the highly anticipated premiere of The Penguin, the eight-episode original miniseries that continues the story of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, also known as The Penguin. After his debut in The Batman (2022), Colin Farrell returns to play this villain, whose quest for power will be the central axis of the plot. The series premieres this Thursday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m., with a repeat on September 22 at the same time.

The series picks up right after the devastating events of The Batman, where Gotham is plunged into chaos after the Riddler (Paul Dano) managed to flood the city and eliminate Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), one of the crime leaders. In this scenario, The Penguin picks up the story days later, with Oswald Cobblepot moving in a weakened criminal underworld, but full of opportunities for those, like him, willing to get their hands dirty to conquer the city.

Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot in HBO’s new series The Penguin. (Credit: Max)

Not only does the series feature Colin Farrell in his acclaimed role as Oz, but it also surrounds him with an exceptional cast that enriches the plot with intriguing and dangerous characters. Cristin Milioti plays Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, a woman who returns to Gotham after spending time in Arkham Asylum, and who has no intention of letting Oz take over what remains of her father’s empire. Michael Zegen plays her brother, Alberto Falcone, who, despite his unstable nature, seeks to keep the family reputation afloat.

Also notable are Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar, a young man whose life becomes intertwined with Oz’s after an unfortunate robbery attempt, and Clancy Brown as Salvatore Maroni, the Falcone’s most dangerous rival.

Cristin Milioti plays Sofia Falcone, a key character in the plot. (Credit: Max)

The series explores different areas of Gotham that play a crucial role in the story. These include the iconic Iceberg Lounge, Oz’s nightclub, which is now devastated by the floods, and 44 Below, an exclusive lounge inside the Iceberg, known for being a refuge for powerful women.

Other key locations include the Falcone Loft, left cluttered and empty after Carmine’s downfall, and the Gotham River Bridge, a symbol of the transition between the different spheres of power in the city.

Gotham City becomes Oz Cobb’s chessboard. (Credit: Max)

The Penguin boasts a top-notch creative team. Matt Reeves, who directed The Batman, is executive producing alongside Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc, who is also the series’ showrunner. Craig Zobel, known for his work on Mare of Easttown, is directing the first three episodes, while Bill Carraro joins as executive producer.

With a total of eight episodes, the series is tasked with delving into the motives and ambitions of Oswald Cobblepot, showing us a villain determined to take the reins of power in Gotham. The city, on the brink of collapse, is fertile ground for his rise, as he forms alliances with key figures and faces implacable enemies.

Rise of the Penguin: A series that explores Gotham’s criminal underworld. (Credit: HBO Max)

With The Penguin, HBO and Max not only expand the story of one of the most iconic villains in The Batman universe, but also set the stage for what could be a new era of chaos and power struggles in Gotham. This new chapter promises to be as dark and electrifying as the film that precedes it, and with Colin Farrell at the helm, the series is positioned as one of the most anticipated television events of the year. Subsequent episodes will air on Sundays, always at 10:00 p.m., with the second episode scheduled for September 29.