Summary
The Penguinwas a huge success with fans and critics when it aired on Max last year, and this inevitably led to a string of awards nominations. The Emmys might be the latest prestigious event to honor the Batman spin-off series, but fans are worried the category HBO has submitted it to could mean a second season might not happen.
HBO has submittedThe Penguininto the limited series category, as opposed to the continuing series, and this doesn’t bode well for the future of the series.It was always envisioned as a limited series, and HBO would surely be more than happy to see it return.
The Penguin
Cast
Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Theo Rossi, David H. Holmes, Myles Humphus and Hunter Emery, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Michael Kelly and Mark Strong
Directed By
Craig Zobel
The Penguin’s submission in the Outstanding Limited Series category at the upcoming Emmys feels like it could be the final nail in the coffin for the Colin Farrell-led DC Comics adaptation. Despite the tendency to expand superhero universes, this particular iteration of the popular villain was envisioned as a one-season narrative, and that doesn’t appear to have changed. Colin Farrell originally played Oswald Cobb in Matt Reeves’The Batmanand his performance was well-received and led to a spin-off series, which drewcomparisons to HBO’s iconic gangster series,The Sopranos. It has been lauded by critics as one of the best new shows of 2024, and now it looks set to receive multiple Emmy nominations.
Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti have been put forward for consideration by HBO in the leading actor and actress categories, alongside Rhenzy Feliz for Best Supporting Actor, Deirdre O’ Connell for Best Supporting Actress andLauren LeFranc as showrunner. Farrell has already won thebest leading actor Golden Globefor his performance, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he scooped up the Emmy as well. IfThe Penguinwas only a one-season show, it really did stick the landing, but fans still want more. Either way,fans haven’t seen the last of the Penguin, as Farrell will reprise the iconic role inMatt Reeves’The Batman Part 2,which has now been delayed to 2027.
The Limited Series Category Could Be A Tactical Decision And The Penguin Season 2 Might Still Happen
The Penguin’s categorization in the limited series section of the Emmys doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t get a second season, but it does indicate HBO doesn’t have any immediate plans to proceed with it.HBO putBig Little Liesinto the limited series category, but it ended up returning for another season two years after its first run. It initially looked like the second season might be the final one, but the Nicole Kidman-led drama will be back for a third season in 2026, nearly a decade after the original limited series aired. This gives fans hope that a similar thing could happen withThe Penguin. In an interview withDeadline, Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group said:
The Penguinis one of those things where — and it’s interesting, because when you talk with everyone involved, everyone is interested in possibly revisiting those characters and doing more — it was very much designed as a limited series. But I would never say never.
This strongly suggests thatThe Penguinmight come back one day, with the creative team very interested in exploring the world in more depth.WithThe Batman Part 2coming out in 2027, it might be a good opportunity to set up a sophomore season ofThe Penguinwithin that story.This could mean any prospective future season ofThe Penguinmight land in 2028, four years after the initial limited series.
