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Based on the DC Comics character Penguin and a spin-off of the film The Batman (2022), The Penguin, is a superhero drama that was released last Thursday on Max. Created by Lauren LeFranc, the show chronicles the Penguin’s meteoric rise as one of the most powerful lords in Gotham City’s criminal underworld.
Colin Farrell reprises the titular role of the Penguin/Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobb. The show dives into the motivations and struggles behind the disfigured character’s villainy, strength, and emotional complications.
Other actors starring in the show are Cristin Milioti, Ben Cook, Rhenzy Feliz, and others. The show takes place one week after the events of The Batman and is quickly gaining a following for its grounded atmosphere and character depth.
Viewers who would like to watch more shows, where the villain shines through, can check the list below.
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House of Cards, Hannibal, and other shows like The Penguin
1) Loki - Disney Plus
Created by Michael Waldron and based on the Marvel Comics character, Loki, is a superhero thriller show starring Tom Hiddleston. Like The Penguin, the show revolves around the god of Mischief, Loki (Tom), and his villainous exploits.
The show begins with Loki stealing the Tesseract during Avengers: Endgame and Loki ends up in an alternate version of himself. Full of action, adventure, and thrills, the show has received positive reviews and is a must-watch after The Penguin.
2) The Boys - Amazon Prime Video
Based on a comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys is a satirical superhero series that turns the image of a good superhero on its head.
In the show, the titular heroes are not outlaws and seem to work for the good of the people but actually they work for a secretive conlomerate and use their powers for their selfish gain. A unique show, it is similar to The Penguin, in the sense that the superheroes are actually villainous.
3) Bates Motel - Amazon Prime Video
Based on the novel Psycho by Robert Bloch and a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, Bates Motel is a psychological horror series that stars Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga. The show follows the origins of Norman Bates (Highmore), his growing mental illness, and his mother Norma’s (Farmiga) efforts to help him.
Even though Norman’s origins into wickedness are psychological rather than fantastical like The Penguin, the show can be a suitable parallel watch as it has the same outline of the growing power of a villain.
4) House of Cards - Netflix
Based on a novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs, House of Cards is a political thriller starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright. Created by Beau Willimon, the show was the first Netflix series and received immediate acclaim for its acting, plot, and direction.
The story revolves around Frank Underwood (Spacey), an ambitious Democratic politician and his wife Claire (Wright). The show touches upon themes of greed, power, and amorality as Underwood chalks out ruthless plans to make himself the next President. Like The Penguin, the show details the slow rise of a villainous character.
5) Sons of Anarchy - Amazon Prime Video
Created by Kurt Sutter, Sons of Anarchy, is an action drama starring Charlie Hunnam in the titular role of Jax Teller. The show revolves around Jax, as he tries to balance his personal life and his professional duties as the vice president of an outlaw motorcycle club.
The show follows the moral downfall of Jax as he gets embroiled in politics and causes the death of many people. The show also touches upon themes like brotherhood, vigilantism, and betrayal. Like The Penguin, the show centers around a villainous character.
6) Dexter - Amazon Prime Video
Inspired by the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter, is a crime drama starring Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan. The show centers around Dexter, who lives a double life as an analyst for the fictional Miami Metro Police Department and murders criminals during the night who have escaped justice.
The show has a psychological and humorous element as it explores Dexter’s homicidal tendencies. Like The Penguin, the show revolves around a villain—Dexter, but the character is not as straightforward and viewers would enjoy that complexity.
7) Hannibal - Amazon Prime Video
Based on the novels of Thomas Harris, Hannibal, is a psychological thriller. The show revolves around the twisted relationship of FBI investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and forensic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen).
What Hugh doesn’t know is that Hannibal is a cannibalistic killer. Noted for its leads’ acting and direction style, the series has received critical acclaim and is a cult show. Like The Penguin, the show revolves around a morally gray character.
Viewers who love series where the antagonists are the protagonists, are welcome to go through the list and choose a show of their liking.
