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Season 1 – Penny Dreadful

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Penny Dreadful May 2014 Horror Mystery & Thriller Drama Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 63 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Many people are familiar with classic literary characters like Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray. "Penny Dreadful" brings those and other characters into a new light by exploring their origin stories in this psychological thriller that takes place in the dark corners of Victorian London. Sir Malcolm is an explorer who has lost his daughter to the city's creatures, and he will do whatever is needed to get her back and to right past wrongs. His accomplice, seductive clairvoyant Vanessa Ives, recruits charming American Ethan Chandler to help locate Sir Malcolm's daughter and slay some monsters. Oscar-winner Sam Mendes ("American Beauty") is one of the series' executive producers.
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Penny Dreadful — Season 1

Penny Dreadful — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Skillfully shot and superbly acted, Penny Dreadful is perplexing in a good way -- even if it's a bit silly at times.

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Critics Reviews

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William Thomas Empire Magazine 11/03/2017
4/5
Events unfold at mummy-pace, but it's splendidly lurid and Green is fantastic, particularly whenever she has a paranormal meltdown. Which is often. Go to Full Review Ben Travers IndieWire 08/07/2014
B+
A tale told with such cinematic grandeur its meticulousness alone would entrance any film fan even if the judiciously rationed scares and tasteful gore somehow did not. Go to Full Review Ellen E Jones Independent (UK) 05/22/2014
There's no doubt about the quality of Penny Dreadful's constituent parts...Yet, as Dr Frankenstein might have told his new friends, reanimating parts as a whole isn't a simple matter of sewing them together. Go to Full Review Tania Hussain The Hudsucker 07/10/2024
Penny Dreadful is a fantastically, creepy tale, wrapped in the grandeur of a feature-length film. Go to Full Review Carla Monfort Espinof 10/30/2023
4/5
One of the most interesting things about the series is that it is the people and their darkest desires end up being more disturbing than the supernatural beings. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Adam Sweeting The Arts Desk 07/23/2018
3/5
It's going to be a dark and messy business. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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April H. @RT36818804 Mar 30 I loved this season. I loved the dark gothic feel of the show. Each episode kept me intrigued as to what was going to happen. See more P K @Pohaku808 Feb 10 Amazing show, great acting and some of the best cinematography I've ever seen. Smart, sexy and super fun See more Kyle W @RT08851756 Sep 20 This production is truly masterclass. The incredibly talented cast, the poetic and sophisticated dialogue, the brilliantly inter-weaved stories, the dark and mature directing, the ever-moving score, the well-orchestrated action, the never-ending suspense, the palpable horror, the enticing romance, the wardrobes, the sets, the lighting, the admirable attention to detail... if you haven't seen Showtime's Penny Dreadful yet, prepare to binge all 3 seasons as fast as you can. This series is an absolute cinematic triumph. See more Susan W @swsw2486 05/16/2025 Just awesome. I love love Eva and her acting. Loved the arch of the characters and I also love that Victorian time in London. All the male actors were great too...if you have Goth a little, you will love this... See more Heidi O @RT26548776 02/23/2025 Outstanding television! Superb dialog, scene development, lighting, character development and story telling. Movie caliber. See more Antonio V @Tone1212 01/13/2025 Great series ' great acting across the board ' eva green and josh hartnett were great ' a shame season 3 was really good but the season finale episode felt rushed ' overall really enjoyed this series a big fan of these stories See more Read all reviews
Penny Dreadful — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Timothy Dalton

Sir Malcolm Murray

Eva Green

Vanessa Ives

Josh Hartnett

Ethan Chandler

Reeve Carney

Dorian Gray

Billie Piper

Brona Croft

Danny Sapani

Sembene

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 11, 2014 Night Work A woman and an explorer investigate the murder of someone close to them, engaging a sharpshooter and Dr. Frankenstein for help. Details Episode 2 Aired May 18, 2014 Seance Vanessa and Sir Malcom search for answers at an Egyptionist's party; Madame Kali hosts a séance; Ethan befriends a young Irish immigrant. Details Episode 3 Aired May 25, 2014 Resurrection Dr. Frankenstein is confronted by his past; Vanessa has a vision of Mina; Vanessa, Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene encounter a strange discovery at the London Zoo. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 1, 2014 Demimonde Vanessa grows more infatuated with Dorian Gray; Professor Van Helsing is hired to work with Dr. Frankenstein; Fenton's master is drawn to Sir Malcolm's mansion. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 8, 2014 Closer Than Sisters Vanessa recalls growing up next door to Sir Malcolm and his family and the events leading to Mina's disappearance. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 15, 2014 What Death Can Join Together Vanessa's latest vision sends Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene on a search; Professor Van Helsing shares details with Dr. Frankenstein; Vanessa has a night with Dorian. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 22, 2014 Possession Sir Malcolm, Ethan, Dr. Frankenstein and Sembene attempt to free Vanessa from the evil that is within her. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 29, 2014 Grand Guignol Following a vision of the Grand Guignol, Vanessa, Sir Malcolm, Ethan, Dr. Frankenstein and Sembene are confronted by their worst nightmares. Details

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Penny Dreadful — Season 1

Penny Dreadful Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 5): Eva Green as Vanessa Ives and Anna Chancellor as Claire Ives Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 6): David Warner as Van Helsing Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 7): Josh Hartnett as Ethan Chandler and Harry Treadaway as Dr. Victor Frankenstein Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 5): Eva Green as Vanessa Ives Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 8): Timothy Dalton as Sir Malcolm Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 1): Timothy Dalton as Sir Malcolm Penny Dreadful (season 1, episode 1): Eva Green as Vanessa Ives View more photos

Season Info

Director
J. A. Bayona, Dearbhla Walsh, Coky Giedroyc, James Hawes
Executive Producer
John Logan, Sam Mendes
Screenwriter
John Logan
Network
Paramount+ with Showtime
Rating
TV-MA (L|S|V)
Genre
Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 11, 2014