Sky Atlantic and Showtime have renewed their co-production Penny Dreadful for a second season, the two broadcasters announced today.
Created by John Logan, Penny Dreadful sees some of literature’s most famously terrifying characters – including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula – become embroiled in Victorian London. The series weaves together these classic horror origin stories as the characters grapple with their monstrous alienation. The series is produced by Neal Street Productions and stars Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green, Billie Piper, Rory Kinnear, Reeve Carney, Harry Treadaway, Helen McCrory, Danny Sapani and Simon Russell Beale.
The renewal comes part way through the show’s 8 episode first season, with the two broadcaster’s upping the order to 10 episodes for season two, which will enter production later this year for a 2015 premiere. Penny Dreadful is the latest successful drama launch for Showtime, following the likes of Ray Donovan, Masters of Sex and Homeland. For Sky, the series forms part of their pledge to invest £600 million per year in UK productions and is one of only a handful of original dramas for Sky Atlantic, who also have the high profile Fortitude in the pipeline for later this year.
“Over the last few years we have made massive strides in bringing world class dramas to our customers’ screens”, said Stuart Murphy, Director of Sky Entertainment. “Penny Dreadful epitomises the cinematic scale of drama we have come to expect from Sky Atlantic and we are really looking forward to continuing our partnership with David Nevins and Showtime, John Logan and Sam Mendes in the second series.”
Cameron Roach, Sky’s Acting Head of Drama, commented: “We are really pleased to be able to bring a second series of Penny Dreadful to our customers’ screens. With the show set in Victorian London and filmed in Ireland, we are very proud of Penny Dreadful’s British and Irish roots. We are thrilled to be working with Neal Street Productions and Showtime on the second series.”
While David Nevins, President of Showtime Networks, added: “Picking up Penny Dreadful was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made. The series has had worldwide impact, drawing big, passionate audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, and more than any other show on our network has hit the bullseye with viewers who want to watch television in all the new ways that are available. John Logan has deftly created an epic series that has drawn raves from a wide-range of audiences from quality drama lovers to critics, to hardcore genre fans. We look forward to working once again with our partners at Sky Atlantic and are extremely excited for what’s in store for season two.”
