Pennyworth (2019 — 2022)

Pennyworth (2019–2022), the American television series based on DC Comics’ Batman character of the same name, premiered on Epix in July 2019. The show was created and executive produced by Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon. Jack Bannon stars as a younger version of Alfred Pennyworth, previously portrayed by Sean Pertwee in Heller’s and Cannon’s Fox series Gotham (2014-2019). Serving as a prequel to both i and V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd, and Tony Weare, filming for the second season began in January 2020 but was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After premiering on December 13, 2020, it was announced in October 2021 that the third season would also air on HBO Max in addition to Epix. The third season aired from October 6 to November 24, 2022, after which it was canceled in February 2023 after three seasons.

Pennyworth delves into the early years of Alfred Pennyworth, the iconic butler of the Wayne family. A former soldier of the British Special Air Service (SAS), Alfred’s story takes place in an alternate history London before the events of Gotham. After his service in the Malayan Emergency, he sets out to create his own security company. This version of London draws inspiration from both the mid-1960s and V for Vendetta, featuring elements such as a modern civil war and televised public executions. Throughout the first two seasons, Alfred finds himself targeted by the fascist Raven Society, a group determined to overthrow the British government. He joins forces with American agents from the CIA-affiliated No Name League, Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane. These two will eventually become Bruce Wayne’s parents and their future daughter, Samantha Thomas Wayne, is born in an unexpected twist at the end of season two.