Network: Showtime
Episodes: 27 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: May 11, 2014 — June 19, 2016
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Reeve Carney, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Rory Kinnear, Billie Piper, Danny Sapani, Harry Treadaway, and Josh Hartnett.
TV show description:
This horror series is a psychological thriller that weaves together horror origin stories from classic literature into an adult drama. The title of the show refers to the penny dreadfuls, a type of cheap 19th century British fiction publication which featured lurid and often sensational material.
Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) is a charming American who’s very popular with the ladies and who finds himself trapped in the dark corners of Victorian London. Behind Ethan’s bright eyes lurk dark secrets. He is running from something and his troubling past threatens to overtake him at every turn.
A hardened African explorer on a deeply personal quest, Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) has nonetheless paid a heavy price for his exciting career. Although his stately home is filled with marvelous souvenirs of his travels, it is devoid of family and loved ones. With the help of Vanessa Ives, he is determined to right the wrongs of his past.
Poised, mysterious and utterly composed, Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) is a seductive and formidable beauty who’s full of secrets and danger. She is keenly observant (perhaps even clairvoyant) as well as an expert medium. Her supernatural gifts are powerful and useful to those around her but they are also a heavy burden. Her inner demons are very real to her and threaten to destroy her relationships, her sanity, and her life.
Sembene (Danny Sapani) is an African man with ritual face scarring. He serves as Sir Malcolm’s sentry and confidant. Sembene has an air of mystery about him and his heroic efforts prove invaluable to Sir Malcolm in his personal quest.
Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney) is a fabulously wealthy young gentleman who is almost unnerving in his beauty. His skin seems to radiate a golden glow of intoxicating youth and promise. A recklessly abandoned sensualist, he has a devil-may-care attitude that borders on dangerous. Nothing seems to faze him, nor are any risks too great. He is, in fact, unnaturally drawn to them.
Brona Croft (Billie Piper) is a poor Irish immigrant who is trying to escape a dark and sordid past. The Gaelic meaning of her name is “sadness,” yet she remains lovely, spirited, and erotically alive. She forms a bond with Ethan and he will do anything for her.
More a Romantic poet than a surgeon, Doctor Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) is a tender, gentle soul who is fascinated by the mysteries of life — and death. He has dedicated himself to researching what makes something live, and has sacrificed everything for his scientific pursuit. However, he is playing with fire. His research pays off in shocking ways — with devastating consequences.
Episode #27 — The Blessed Dark
Ethan learns the shocking truth about Kaetenay. Dr. Seward uses hypnosis on Renfield. Meanwhile, The Creature must make a moral decision as Sir Malcolm, Ethan, Kaetenay, Dr. Seward and Catriona battle to save Vanessa.
First aired: June 19, 2016
What do you think? Do you like the Penny Dreadful TV series? Do you think it should have ended or been renewed for a fourth season?
This is a great show. The acting is amazing. I hope it is not cancelled. I would like to see how all the story lines cross once again as they must.
Whoever cast the show should be applauded.
I LOVE PENNYDREADFUL
I really hope Showtime gives the green light for season 3. I thought the season 2 premiere was gripping and left me wanting for more. For this type of show J Logan has hit the nail on the head. Dark, thrilling, well written, well acted. Keep it going Showtime !!
I like the show. Good acting and shows the Victorian Era was not so prim and proper.
Hope next season is as well directed and acted as the first season.
Love the show!! Hopefully it is renewed.
I usually like any good fictional program involving the supernatural. But this show lost me with its obligatory male gay scene that had absolutely nothing to do with the damn story. It’s like show time just crammed it in there to redirect a show that’s now painfully limping on. When a show has to resort to tricks to keep the interest or a segment of population it has nothing. Snooze factor an old tired story line
Throw in some characters from various tales of the supernatural from Victorian times and see if they play well with others. So far so good. Don’t cancel this Showtime. You don’t have sponsors. People pay for your channel and this is the best thing since Dexter and the Tudors.
Normally, I love the psychological horror genre in books and movies … but I’m finding this one to leave me wondering “what’s going on?”. The lighting in most scenes is so dark, that often you can’t tell who or what is happening. Too slow in story progression. I have not grown to ‘care’ about the characters.
I have cancelled recording this series.
My girl and I love it!
I like this show a lot I hope it does not get canceled.
I would love for it to continue. Well written, always another turn when you least expect it. Love the actors. Its like falling into your own gothic time bubble.
I love this show The cast is great especially Eva Green. In hope it is renewed.
I think it is a great show and it is unique I hope they keep it on
So far I’m a fan. Here’s hoping it carries on!
I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen so far…Some of it is a bit scrambled, I would hope that the wee kinks will be ironed out and we can look forward to another season…With so many shows I loved being axed…I am afraid to hope for too much…