Penny Dreadful
Seen it?2014 | 3 seasons | 60 min | Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Mystery, Action & Adventure
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It collected a shelf of major awards, it earned strong reviews (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved FROM or Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, start here.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- 3 seasons: a few weeks of evenings, hour-long episodes, about 27 hours in all.
- What might put you off
- Rated TV-MA: expect sex.
Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. Penny Dreadful is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 BAFTAs: BAFTA Television Craft Awards: Best Make Up and Hair Design, BAFTA Television Craft Awards: Best Original Television Music, BAFTA Television Craft Awards: Best Production Design. Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Television Awards: Most Exciting New Series. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe, 3 more BAFTAs and 4 more Critics' Choice Awards. Plus 10 other awards.
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 3 seasons and reached a solid audience
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 379K people sought it out in the past year
Season by season
The show overall is a Saturday Special. Here's how each season stacks up; Season 2 is the high point.
- Season 12014 · 8 episodes · 81% on Rotten Tomatoes · 7.2 out of 10Saturday
- Season 22015 · 10 episodes · 100% on Rotten Tomatoes · 7.5 out of 10Saturday
- Season 32016 · 9 episodes · 93% on Rotten Tomatoes · 7.4 out of 10Saturday
Trailer
More like this
FROM
Friday Night FlickPenny Dreadful is a spin-off of this series. It's a much-loved supernatural mystery.
Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities Saturday SpecialAnother supernatural drama, and a Saturday Special.
Behind Her Eyes
Sunday Safe BetAnother supernatural mystery, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed vampire drama.
Evil Saturday SpecialAnother supernatural drama, and a Saturday Special.
Cast & crew
Created by John Logan
- Eva GreenVanessa Ives
- Josh HartnettEthan Chandler
- Timothy DaltonMalcolm Murray
- Harry TreadawayVictor Frankenstein
- Reeve CarneyDorian Gray
- Rory KinnearJohn Clare / The Creature
- Billie PiperLily / Brona Croft
- Patti LuPoneDr. Seward
- Wes StudiKaetenay