Penny Dreadful

About

Penny Dreadful is a three-season horror drama television series created by John Logan for Showtime and Sky. It premiered on May 11, 2014, and concluded on June 19, 2016. The show brings together iconic characters from 19th-century Gothic fiction, including Dorian Gray, Victor Frankenstein, and Count Dracula, set against the backdrop of Victorian London. The series follows Vanessa Ives, a clairvoyant, Sir Malcolm Murray, an explorer, and Ethan Chandler, an American sharpshooter, as they confront supernatural threats. The show explores themes of faith, evil, and patriarchy, with a stellar cast that includes Eva Green, Timothy Dalton, and Josh Hartnett. Despite its abrupt ending, Penny Dreadful is praised for its gothic horror storytelling and the depth of its characters. The series was nominated for numerous awards, including 13 Primetime Emmys. Its unique blend of horror and literary figures makes it a standout in the genre, despite some criticisms regarding its handling of characters of color and its conclusion.