HBO’s highly anticipated sequel series, The Penguin, has shown promising success in its first few episodes, debuting with high viewership for the network. Following the story events of the 2022 blockbuster, The Batman, this new series The Penguin focuses its attention on DC’s villain of the same name. Starring in the lead role of The Penguin is Colin Farrell (The North Water, Sugar).
According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Penguin garnered 10.4 million viewers over the first 11 days since its debut on September 19, 2024. The 10.4 million viewers is statistic encompassing viewers across HBO’s platforms. This large viewership outpaces any other HBO series currently airing when compared to other series’ launches, continues The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter makes clear that the comparison does not include a comparison against HBO’s biggest shows, such as The Last of Us and House of the Dragon.
Within the first four days of the series’ release, 5.3 million viewers tuned in, while 5.1 million more watchers turned in the rest of the week, The Hollywood Reporter pointed out. However, “Sunday’s second episode, meanwhile, gathered 1.6 million viewers across all platforms (including couple of on-air replays), a 17 percent improvement on night one for the premiere,” said The Hollywood Reporter.
While The Penguin is amassing viewer’s attention, the series was originally set to premiere only through streaming, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Due to rebranding measures, The Penguin became an HBO original series, which ensured the series would premiere on HBO and stream through Max.
Fans of this new rendition of The Batman universe should keep The Penguin series in their foresight, as filmmaker Matt Reeves (The Batman, Let Me In) confirmed that the second Batman movie directly coincides with The Penguin via mxdwn.
The Penguin is available to watch on HBO and stream on Max on Sundays.