Pennyworth is an upcoming TV series from Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller that will explore the origin of Batman’s butler Alfred. The 10-episode series will air on Epix in 2019.
You all thought that the latest trailer for Teen Titans Go To The Movies was joking when Robin and his pals are sitting in the movie theater anxiously awaiting the reveal of an upcoming film featuring Batman’s favourite ally, only for the title drop of ALFRED to appear as he spouts his catchphrase “It’s time to clean up this city!”
Turns out people want to see an Alfred prequel, or at least DC Entertainment thinks you all want to see an Alfred TV series because for some reason you can’t stop watching Gotham. (though I’ve heard the upcoming season will be the final one). The Epix series received a 10-episode order and will be about Alfred Pennyworth, a former British SAS soldier who forms a secret company and goes to work with Bruce Wayne’s billionaire father, Thomas, in 1960’s London. Heller is writing but Danny Cannon, who is also executive producing, will direct the pilot.
“As genuine fans of these classic DC characters, as well as the incredibly talented Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, we couldn’t be more excited to make Epix the home of this series. We can’t wait to work with Bruno and Danny — along with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner, Brett Paul and the team at Warner Horizon — on this fantastic origin story.” – Epix president Michael Wright.
Sean Pertwee, who plays Alfred on Gotham, is not involved in this project at all, which is NOT being hailed as a spinoff to that show, but something else entirely. I’m not excited for this, but I’m also not watching Gotham because the show is a big mess of epic proportions thanks to it’s over-the-top bad performances from several actors – cough cough Jada Pinkett Smith cough.