“Pennyworth” Is An ‘Unhinged R-Rated’ Bat-Prequel
FOX’s “Gotham” is coming to a close shortly, but much of the key talent behind the scenes on that show are making the jump over to a different “Batman” prequel series – “Pennyworth”.
The 1960’s UK-set series follows Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon), a former British SAS soldier in his 20s, who forms a security company and goes to work with a young billionaire Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) before he becomes a father.
Danny Cannon, who executive produces the series, spoke on the TCA tour yesterday about the show and promises (via
Deadline) it’s a “unhinged, R-rated” series full of archetypal and British literary villains including Jack the Ripper’s descendants:
“This is the DC version of 1960s London. 13 degrees history is different. It’s not the England we know. It looks and feels like, but if you look a little closer, [you think], ‘Why is that like that? Why is that building there? What war is he talking about?'”
We had a test audience and there were only so many who knew it was a DC-related series. It was incredibly positive and that’s because the characters are being drawn out. There’s so much to draw from and so much to imagine.”
Bruno Heller also executive produces while Cannon will direct. Ten episodes have been ordered and filming has been underway since October ahead of a June premiere on Epix.