Picking a weekend binge-watch isn’t always a straightforward process. All too often, you’ll get two or three episodes into a series, realize you’re not fully into it, and must then decide between abandoning ship or committing to the end and hoping things improve. Binge regret is real, and like your sports team losing or rainy weather, it can put a real dampener on a weekend.
Precious few TV shows from the past couple of years are completely immune from binge regret. Shōgun, Rivals, Pluribus, and The Pitt fall into that illustrious category, but it takes more than just one special quality to earn a spot. Regret-free binges must stand head and shoulders above their peers, forcing themselves into the conversation when “best of the year” lists are being compiled. An eight-part series on HBO fits that bill.
The Penguin Is One Of The Best TV Shows Of The Modern Era
It would be very easy to dismiss The Penguin as just another bead on the string of superhero TV shows. That realm is so densely populated, and society wasn’t exactly crying out for an Oswald Cobblepott origin story. Against all odds, the 2024 DC series transcended traditional boundaries of the superhero genre and cemented itself as one of the year’s greatest TV shows.
Based in the same universe as The Batman (not that it’s essential viewing beforehand), The Penguin finds Colin Farrell on top form as the titular gangster. Devoid of any cartoonish elements typically associated with the Batman villain, “Oz Cobb” becomes a complex and fascinating TV criminal, following in the footsteps of Tony Soprano and Walter White. And yet, despite a stellar performance, Penguin himself isn’t even the highlight.
That honor goes to Cristin Milioti as the unhinged Sofia Falcone, who takes the “main villain” role by default, despite Penguin hardly being a saint himself. It’s these god-tier performances, combined with deep characterization and an excellent plot, that push The Penguin far beyond what many would expect from a so-called superhero spinoff.
That’s not to say The Penguin is for everyone. It’s a dark, gritty, mature take on Gotham City and, obviously, don’t show it to your kids. But for anyone who has even a passing interest in crime shows, thrillers, or urban dramas, The Penguin is a regret-proof binge, even if you don’t typically follow the Marvel and DC universes.
Is The Penguin Over? Will There Be A Season 2?
With only a single eight-episode season to its name, The Penguin is a short, albeit intense, binge that can easily be watched over a Friday-Sunday period. Those who make it to the end will inevitably be hungry for more, but the status of The Penguin season 2 is somewhat murky.
We know Farrell’s character will be back in The Batman Part II, although not necessarily as a primary cast member. As for another season of The Penguin, the door isn’t completely closed. The series hasn’t been canceled, nor does it lack scope for continuation. At the same time, The Penguin season 2 has not been officially announced, despite the show’s glowing reviews.
The Batman director Matt Reeves previously confirmed that preliminary talks for The Penguin season 2 had taken place. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc revealed in 2025 that hopes remained for a second season but no actual movement had been made, and Cristin Milioti echoed those sentiments in January 2026.
It seems like DC’s focus is currently on The Batman Part II, and any potential future for The Penguin will come after, depending on where Matt Reeves’ movie sequel leaves the character of Oz Cobb.
- Release Date
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2024 – 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
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Lauren LeFranc
- Directors
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Craig Zobel