A new horror series is launching on the American Showtime
network this month under the evocative title of Penny Dreadful. Set in a highly atmospheric Victorian London, the
show is described as a psychological thriller weaving together classic horror
origin stories into a new adult drama. An impressive cast is headed by Eva
Green as the enigmatic Vanessa Ives, Josh Harnett as a “man of action” and
Timothy Dalton as the father of Mina Harker, whom we know as one of Dracula’s
victims. Iconic horror characters present include Dorian Gray and, of immediate
interest to us, Victor Frankenstein and his Monster. Other characters include a
spiritualist, an Egyptologist and assorted mysterious types. No doubt parallels
will be drawn between this and Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary
Gentlemen.
The series, eight episodes in all, comes with sterling
credentials. Penny Dreadful creator and writer is Josh Logan, whose screenwriting credits include such titles as
GLADIATOR, THE TIME MACHINE, THE AVIATOR, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET
STREET, HUGO and SKYFALL. Producer Sam Mendes directed AMERICAN BEAUTY, SKYFALL
and he'll helm the next Bond as well. Director Juan Antonio Bayona directed THE IMPOSSIBLE
and THE ORPHANAGE.
The series’ first chapter, "Night Work", cablecasting on
May 11th, is available now, free online to North American viewers.
Note: The episode includes the surprising, must-see creation scene where the
young Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) animates his Creature (Alex Price).
Viewers in the US need to access the show’s official page and click the “view series premiere” link. In
Canada, go to TMN: The Movie Network site and follow the link to Penny Dreadful.
Showtime keeps an excellent dedicated website featuring character profiles, trailers, a blog and
production videos.
The cast, creators, top-notch production values and the
perfectly unnerving premiere episode make for a very promising series.
1 comment:
The Creature's creation sequence is perfectly underplayed and moving. My initial reaction was that Kinnear seems to be channeling Freddie Jones in "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed".... both in his look and in his wide-eyed, sympathetic portrayal. Which is, to me, a very good thing.
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