Almost a year after HBO’s The Penguin first wowed audiences, the series remains a breakout success, earning praise from critics and fans alike and collecting a fresh wave of awards attention with 24 Emmy nominations to its name. Yet before it premiered, many questioned the premise: tell a compelling Batman villain story without Batman himself?
The show’s creators wrestled with that question but ultimately stayed true to their vision. In a recent interview, showrunner Lauren LeFranc explained that she and producer Matt Reeves discussed the possibility of bringing Batman, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, into the series. “Matt and I talked about it a lot,” LeFranc said. “It didn’t feel necessary. We’d be wrenching him in just to say we had the Batman in our show, when the goal was to build rich, compelling characters that didn’t require him. We were operating through the lens of Oz. We’re on the streets; there’s a gang war in progress.” The conclusion: the show’s strength lay in its own world-building, with Batman figuratively watching from above while Gotham’s underworld clawed its way toward power.
That tension persisted until the season’s final shot, where Oz Cobblepot, having seized control of Gotham’s underworld, glimpses the Bat-Signal in the sky. LeFranc noted that the series was always designed as a direct bridge to The Batman Part II, with the plan to launch Oz into that next film rather than rush into a second season.
Despite that bridge, there’s no current status update on a second season. If it ever happens, it would have to come after Part II and would need to offer something truly spectacular to top what’s already been achieved — a sentiment LeFranc shared with co-creator Colin Farrell. The series was originally envisioned as a limited run, and while the door isn’t definitively closed, a renewal would require presenting a fresh, compelling arc.
As fans wait for more, Pattinson’s Batman remains a potential guest star rather than a steady fixture, with The Batman Part II slated for theaters in October 2027. That film will likely feature Farrell’s Penguin returning to the screen, continuing the Brotherhood of Gotham’s power struggle that The Penguin so vividly brought to life on television.
What this means for viewers is a cross-media storytelling approach that leverages a thriving Gotham universe. The Emmy nods and the critical acclaim underscore the show’s success in carving out its own identity while setting up connections to the broader Batman storyline. Expect more small-screen depth from Oz’s rise, potential limited appearances by Batman, and a continuing expansion of Gotham’s criminal landscape in collaboration with Reeves and his film world.
Summary: The Penguin has thrived by focusing on Oz and Gotham’s street-level power dynamics, rather than borrowing Batman’s presence. While a second season remains uncertain, the finale set up a clear bridge to The Batman Part II, keeping the door open for Batman’s appearance and for further explorations of the Penguin’s criminal empire in the years ahead. Fans can look forward to seeing Farrell’s Penguin and possibly more crossover moments when The Batman Part II arrives in theaters in 2027. If the series continues, it will do so with a commitment to exceptional storytelling that honors its limited-series roots while staying intertwined with a broader, ambitious Batman universe.