Penny Dreadful – not so Dreadful
Everything you need to know about 2014's hottest show and why you need to see it, like, yesterday!
Sky ShowtimeJohn Logan and Sam Mendes’ monster mash-up is fast-becoming our new TV obsession - filling the void that the dearly-departed Game of Throneshas left behind, and offering up just as much violence, sex and shocks as the aforementioned. But with great big gothic bells on.
Sky ShowtimeIt’s taken our favourite early 19th century horror literary giants, mixed them all up in a huge bubbling caldron of menace and, frankly, we’re eating this devilish concoction up with a spoon.
Sky ShowtimeIn case you were curious, the show gets it’s name from the penny dreadfuls of 19th century Britain; a pulp fiction paper that told lurid and sensationalised serial horror to the working class – and cost just a penny. True story.
Sky ShowtimeIn a world where popular culture has taken the horror out of monsters so much so that they’re now considered pin-ups (Team Edward or Jacob, anyone?) Penny Dreadfulis bringing “gothic” back (yeah!). This show makes a point of dusting off the cobwebs – and adding them again for effect - making these monsters, well, proper monsters again, and setting them back in an era when they can really scare the bejesus out of us; Victorian London.
Sky ShowtimeDracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Dorian Gray and, possibly... werewolves (we’re only six episodes in but we have a sneaking suspicion about one dude) – they’re all here! Gone are the sexy smoulderings and twinkly diamond skin of 21st century vampires and, with Frankenstein’s creation, there isn’t a neck bolt in sight. Dorian Gray is obviously a fox, but we’re waiting for a glimpse of that infamous portrait… GAH!
Sky ShowtimeAnd speaking of scary, it really is! Bloody piles of corpses; check. Demonic possession; check. Blood-spewing prostitutes; check. Plus, there are bags of creepy camerawork and atmospheric tension for those after a scare-fest. Twists and turns and shocks, oh my! Things that go bump in the night, indeed.
Sky ShowtimeJust wait ‘til episode two: the séance, in which Eva Green is possessed by a spirit (or three), and goes batsh*t crazy in the middle of an upper class party game; gibbering, drooling, contorting and showing off her acting chops as if the Academy had come a’calling. It’s the most believable possession scene since Linda Blair rotated her head a full 360 in '73.
Sky ShowtimeEva Freakin’ Green! Worth mentioning again. Because she’s just brilliant. Jaw-droppingly brilliant. Vanessa Ives - the show’s breakout character - is darkly mysterious and deliciously intense. Sassy, sexy and, did we mention, seriously disturbed? She's basically being haunted by Satan himself. It takes up a lot of her time.
Sky ShowtimeBut while Eva’s the best, she’s not the only reason to tune in. Penny Dreadful boasts an ensemble cast worthy a parade, who have so much talent and chemistry that every scene has a buzzing energy of admiration, palpable tension or just widespread lust.
Sky ShowtimeSome of Hollywood’s hottest acting pedigree have jumped on the TV bandwagon, including Timothy Dalton (as Sir Malcom) – for whom our love is threefold. One, he was James Bond. Two, his deliciously camp and smug performance in Hot Fuzz. And three, HELLO! He plays thespian hedgehog Mr Pricklepants in Toy Story.
Sky ShowtimeMeanwhile, there’s some serious eye candy on offer for us ladies. Two words: Josh Hartnett. Enough said.
Sky ShowtimeOh, okay, we’ll say more! The handsome-but-haunted leading man starts the show as a player in a Western gun-slinging show but winds up as Sir Malcolm’s hired heavy. He’s got a past, but he’s not disclosing. And we think, there’s a story there…
Sky ShowtimeAnd if brooding, rugged American gunslingers aren’t your thing, then surely the polished, chiseled perfection of Reeve Carney AKA Dorian Gray – literature’s hottest hedonist – will tickle your fancy…
Sky ShowtimeAnd Billie Piper’s back. And she’s playing a prostitute again. Hurrah! Although gone are the Jimmy Choos and banker clients... think more whiskey-fueled fumblings and tuberculosis.
Sky ShowtimeAnd this beautiful cast are not only brilliant – they’re a pretty incestuous bunch too. Everyone’s sleeping with everyone. In a six degrees of separation stylee. We’re only six episodes in, and Vanessa Ives has already slept with Dorian Gray, who’s slept with Brona Croft, who’s slept with Ethan Chandler, who’s slept with Dorian Gray (that’s right!).
Sky ShowtimeAnd we’re not talking ‘vanilla’ sex either. There’s a particular jaw-dropping moment during Brona and Dorian’s tryst that we won’t go into but, suffice to say, it’s disgusting. And worse, it only spurs him on!
Sky ShowtimeOne character staying out of the sex games – presumably because he’s got enough problems – is Dr Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by the truly brilliant Harry Treadaway. A man of logic and reason thrust into a world of supernatural monsters, who asks “to what end?” at least three times an episode and is another reason this show’s proving totally addictive.
Sky ShowtimeWhat’s more, it’s so pretty! Of course, it helps that the cast's collective bone structure and dark circles are ringers for TV like this, but Penny Dreadful also has some pretty impressive visual flair. Right down from the stunningly spine-chilling opening credits sequence to the to-die-for dresses and set designs. Gorgeous.
Sky ShowtimeAnd it’s also worth mentioning the high-class pedigree this show boasts at work behind the camera. The primary creative force behind Penny Dreadful is the Oscar-nominated John Logan – who wrote The Aviator and Skyfall amongst others. Whilst his director buddy, Oscar-winning Sam Mendes, is a producer. Kudos.
Sky ShowtimeAnd there’s still so much to tell! PD tells us only what we need to know, and keeps us guessing with every ambiguous glance, stunted conversation and gory death. The sky’s the limit on this show. And it’s already been renewed for a second season. Well played, Penny Dreadful. Well played.
