‘The Penguin’ Season 2 Is Officially Happening and the Creative Team Is Already Taking Shape

Colin Farrell’s acclaimed descent into Gotham’s criminal underworld captured the attention of audiences and critics alike when ‘The Penguin’ premiered on HBO in September 2024. The series, developed by Lauren LeFranc, follows Oz Cobb’s rise to power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld and serves as a spin-off from Matt Reeves’ 2022 film ‘The Batman.’ What began as a limited series quickly became one of the most discussed prestige dramas on television, sparking conversations about its future long before the final episode aired.

The show earned 24 Emmy nominations, placing it as the second most-nominated program of the year behind Apple TV+’s ‘Severance.’ That level of recognition set the stage for mounting industry speculation, with fans and insiders alike wondering whether HBO would find a way to bring Oz Cobb back for another round in Gotham’s underworld. The conversation only grew louder as key creatives began publicly hinting that the story was far from finished.

Now, the most concrete sign yet has arrived. According to @TheBatmanSagaNW, Season 2 of ‘The Penguin’ has been listed on the Writers Guild of America website, a credible indicator of active development given that only writers, productions, or the WGA itself can add or edit listings there.

The WGA listing places ‘The Penguin Season 2’ as a project scheduled for 2025 through 2026, with Lauren LeFranc confirmed to return as showrunner, a role she held throughout the first season which earned her a WGA Award for Best Limited Series.

Joining the creative team is a notably exciting addition. Semi Chellas, who joined ‘Mad Men’ in season five and co-wrote multiple Emmy-nominated episodes with creator Matthew Weiner, will serve as consulting producer on the new season. Chellas earned six Emmy nominations and shared a Writers Guild Award with Weiner during her time on the acclaimed AMC drama, and has since built an impressive resume spanning television and film. Her arrival brings a pedigree rooted in the kind of rich, character-driven prestige drama that made ‘The Penguin’ such a compelling watch in the first place.

LeFranc’s commitment to the project looks stronger than ever following recent moves at HBO. Variety reported exclusively that LeFranc signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and HBO Max, also launching her own production banner called Acid and Tender Productions, which she described as a haven for writers and filmmakers who seek to tell authentic, off-kilter, character-driven stories.

She has previously indicated that any continuation would only move forward if she and star Colin Farrell felt confident they could top themselves and deliver something as excellent as the first season.

The road to a second season has been a long and carefully managed one. Executive producer Dylan Clark told outlets at the Golden Globes red carpet that quiet conversations about a second season were underway, and that if the team could come up with a strong enough idea, HBO boss Casey Bloys and the HBO team would likely want to pursue it. HBO’s confidence in the property was never really in doubt, and the WGA listing now suggests those conversations have moved well beyond cocktail party speculation.

With LeFranc at the helm, Chellas lending her storytelling instincts, and the weight of the first season’s success behind them, expectations are already building for what Gotham’s most dangerous crime boss will get up to next. Let us know in the comments whether you’re excited to see ‘The Penguin’ return for a second season.