WiC Watches—Penny Dreadful: City of Angels season 1

Image: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels/Showtime

The original Penny Dreadful ran on Showtime for three seasons, from 2014 to 2016. Set in Victorian London, John Logan’s horror drama was a celebration of gothic excess. The show featured plentiful characters from great works of English literature, from Frankenstein (and Frankenstein’s monster) to Dracula. The ensemble cast fought against witches and Satan himself, and all of it was played very straight. This was bodice-rending, throw-yourself-from-the-tallest-tower high drama, with a star turn from Eva Green at its center.

When Penny Dreadful ended, many fans thought it felt premature, as though there was still more story to tell. Now, Logan is back with a follow-up: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.

However, if those fans were hoping for a continuation of the original story, they’re going to be disappointed. Plot-wise, City of Angels has nothing to do with the first Penny Dreadful. The setting has been moved to 1930s-era Los Angeles and the cast of characters is completely new, with no indication that there’s going to be any kind of crossover. Our new story revolves around Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto), the first Mexican-American detective in the LAPD. Meanwhile, a demoness named Magda (Natalie Dormer) plans to push humanity to the brink of extinction by setting people against each other, and considering the show is set during the lead-up to World War II, with nationalism and bigotry on the rise, she has a lot to work with.

Honestly, it almost feels like the Penny Dreadful name is here just for marketing purposes, but there are tonal similarities. Like the original, this show delights in stylistic excess, and promises much in the way of rich melodrama. And Dormer’s turn as the conniving Magda already recalls Green’s work as Vanessa Ives.

The first show was a blast because it committed so completely to its premise, never tipping into camp even though it easily could have. Between the Mexican-American folklore influences, the police story, Natalie Dormer (as Magda) playing multiple characters, and explorations of early 20th century racism and nationalism, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels seems to have a lot on its mind. Will it eclipse its predecessor, or buckle under the weight of its ambitions?

We’ll be reviewing the show here, episode by episode. Let’s find out what this series is made of: