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.