The eighth and final episode of The Penguin came to an explosive end, setting a new high bar for comic book TV spinoffs. The series followed Ozwald Cobb’s rise to power through Gotham, as he clawed and killed his way to the top.
Colin Farrell reprises his role as the underground gangster, almost unrecognisable under a thick layer of make-up. After such a stellar run, you may be wondering whether the series will return for more.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know. You can also check out our official review after watching all eight episodes.
Spoilers for The Penguin season 1 below
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Will The Penguin return for season 2?
HBO has not yet confirmed if there will be a second season of The Penguin. However, we do know that the series leads directly into The Batman Part II, which Colin Farrell is confirmed to star in.
The film is slated to release on 2 October 2026, and Oz is in prime position to be another foe for the Caped Crusader – more on that below.
However, that doesn’t mean that this series is completely over. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc gave the following quote at New York Comic-Con:
Gotham is ripe to tell so many stories, the comics have shown that through decades and decades. I love this version of Gotham too. I love all the characters that we’ve gotten to explore in this world… I think there’s always room for more of that. If the story can be even better, absolutely.
For Colin Farrell, the ordeal of putting on all the make-up was quite stressful for him, according to GamesRadar. However, he said he may consider returning after a year’s break.
It’s hard to predict what could happen in a second season of The Penguin, as we don’t yet know the plot of The Batman sequel. However, the ending of season 1 could give us some clues as to what to expect from the movie.
HBO
The Penguin ending explained: How it sets up for The Batman Part II
Oz was after ultimate power in Gotham, and he got what he wanted – but it practically cost him everything.
Sofia Falcone proved to be a formidable foe, and she was out for revenge after discovering that Oz was responsible for the death of her brother, Alberto. Not only did Oz repeatedly lie to her about it, but he also stole the drug she’d worked on and used it to build his own empire.
After blowing up his underground operation, she kidnaps both Oz and his mother, Francis. To break his spirit, she forced the pair to confront a traumatic past event – when Oz murdered his brothers by locking them in the sewers, and then lying to his mother about it.
Macall Polay/HBO
Francis revealed she’d always known, and she hated him for it. But Oz being Oz, continued to deny it. The stress of the situation caused his mother to have a massive stroke, which essentially left her brain-dead. She was the only real weakness for The Penguin, the one person he really loved.
After getting free, with the help of his protege, Vic, Oz tricked Sofia and got her arrested – sending her straight back to Arkham hell.
Vic is hopeful about his future with Oz, but his faith has been put in the wrong person. As the first episode foreshadowed, Oz strangles Vic to death as he’s realised that family makes him weak. He pockets the dead boy’s money, throws his ID in the river and leaves his body by the bench.
Macall Polay/HBO
In the end, Oz gets the penthouse he’d always wanted for his ma, who we see shed a tear as Oz asks her how she is. He interprets it as a happy cry, as she’s finally got the home she’s dreamed of. But of course, we know she’s essentially a prisoner in her own home – trapped with the devil.
Dressed in his full garb from the comics, Oz goes downstairs to meet Eve Karlo, dressed up as Francis in a sparkly dress and wig. She dances with The Penguin, essentially playing a fantasy version of his mother.
Oz asks her to tell him that she loves him and that she’s proud of him, as the pair dance in the penthouse overlooking Gotham, just like all those years ago at Monroe’s. He has nobody to protect anymore, making him more deadly and ruthless than ever before.
However, his reign may be challenged, as when the camera zooms out we see the Bat-Signal clear in the sky. Bruce Wayne has finally taken notice of the crime underworld, and no doubt he’ll be there to try and put a stop to Oz’s evil deeds in The Batman Part II.
Who sent the letter to Sofia Falcone in The Penguin?
After returning to her dreaded Arkham cell, Sofia receives a mysterious letter delivered by Dr. Julian Rush. He hands her a black envelope, which is from Selina Kyle, Sofia’s half-sister.
Selina is better known as Catwoman, played by Zoë Kravitz in The Batman. This film revealed that Carmine Falcone had an affair with a waitress called Maria Kyle, who he later murdered.
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Selina sought to avenge her mother’s death but was robbed of her justice by The Riddler.
We don’t find out what is written in the letter, but we see Sofia smile as she reads it. This perhaps shows that Selina will be in her corner in the future and could also hint that Sofia will return in The Batman: Part II. If she does, she’ll almost certainly try to finish her goal of stopping Oz once and for all.
Who could return for season 2 of The Penguin?
If The Penguin were to return for a second season on HBO, these are some of the actors we’d expect to see return:
- Colin Farrell – Oswald “Oz” Cobb / The Penguin
- Cristin Milioti – Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Carmine Falcone
- Deirdre O’Connell – Francis Cobb
- Carmen Ejogo – Eve Karlo
- Theo Rossi – Dr. Julian Rush
We may also see the return of showrunner Lauren LeFranc, and Matt Reeves and Colin Farrell as executive producers.
What channel is The Penguin on?
DC fans in the US can catch the show on HBO and Max.
In the UK, viewers can catch up on Sky TV and the streaming service Now.
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