Penny Dreadful
Created by John Logan
On Showtime
A gothic psychological horror that fuses classic literary monsters into a dark, supernatural thriller set in Victorian London, where demonic forces and existential dread drive the narrative.
Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. Penny Dreadful is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama.
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Keywords
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is Penny Dreadful scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 99% of series.
Is Penny Dreadful sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of series.
Does Penny Dreadful leave you hopeful? No. Less hopeful than 95% of series.
Is Penny Dreadful violent? Yes, very. More violent than 92% of series.
Is Penny Dreadful easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 88% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Opposite of HBOFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Penny Dreadful, and what each one shares →
Like Penny Dreadful
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Penny Dreadful
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Penny Dreadful, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Penny Dreadful, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Penny Dreadful, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
