HBO’s The Penguin made a bold entrance into the DC Universe, dragging viewers deep into Gotham’s criminal underworld—and Colin Farrell’s dark, unrecognizable turn as Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot had a lot to do with that. The first season, gritty and slow-burning, ended with a bang and left fans hungry for more. Now, as the dust settles, everyone’s asking the same thing: is The Penguin coming back for a second season?
Is The Penguin Season 2 Happening?
As of August 2025, HBO hasn’t officially announced a second season. The show was initially pitched as a one-and-done limited series, meant to fill the gap between Matt Reeves’ The Batman (2022) and its sequel, The Batman Part II, which hits theaters in October 2027. But with over 5 million viewers tuning in during the first four days, The Penguin proved it’s more than just filler—it’s a hit.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc and director Matt Reeves aren’t ruling anything out. Speaking at the Golden Globes earlier this year, LeFranc said there’s still plenty of story left to explore “if the right idea comes along.” Reeves also confirmed there have been “quiet conversations” with HBO about keeping the story going, though nothing’s set in stone yet. Warner Bros. execs have echoed that a second season is “definitely a possibility”—but it all comes down to timing, availability, and a killer story.
The main hurdle? Reeves is focused on The Batman Part II, and any new season of The Penguin would need to fit into that larger universe without stepping on it. So, while the buzz is real, don’t expect anything concrete just yet.
Potential Release Date for The Penguin Season 2
Let’s say HBO gives the greenlight tomorrow. Even then, we’re probably looking at a release no earlier than late 2026 or early 2027. Season 1 took about three years to go from development to premiere, thanks to delays (including the 2023 Hollywood strikes). And with Farrell’s extensive prosthetic work and the show’s heavy production demands, nothing’s going to move fast.
Another possibility is that HBO might hold off until after The Batman Part II drops, which would push Season 2 even further—maybe to 2028. So, if you’re a fan, patience will be key.
Expected Cast for The Penguin Season 2
If The Penguin does return, you can bet Colin Farrell will be front and center—assuming he’s up for it. He’s hinted that he’d love to come back if the story’s strong enough, though he’s also admitted the role takes a toll, both emotionally and physically (three hours in a makeup chair every day isn’t nothing).
Cristin Milioti is also a likely return as Sofia Falcone. Her performance in Season 1 was chilling, and her storyline definitely left doors open for a comeback. She’s even joked about wanting to try on prosthetics herself next time.
Other potential returns:
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Deirdre O’Connell as Oz’s mother, Francis Cobb – not exactly active in the story, but could appear in flashbacks or symbolic scenes.
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Theo Rossi as Dr. Julian Rush – closely tied to Sofia’s plotline and not entirely written off yet.
Don’t expect to see Rhenzy Feliz’s character Victor again (if you know, you know), and many other Season 1 faces are up in the air due to the show’s high body count. That said, Gotham’s underworld is huge. There’s plenty of room for new characters—maybe even Catwoman or someone unexpected from Batman’s rogues’ gallery.
Potential Plot for The Penguin Season 2
Season 1 left Oz at the top of Gotham’s crime food chain—but staying there is never easy. If Season 2 happens, we could see:
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Oz fending off rivals, old and new.
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Law enforcement or even Batman himself turning up the heat (the Bat-Signal did show up, after all).
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Sofia plotting her revenge—or maybe teaming up with someone just as dangerous.
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A deeper dive into Gotham’s twisted web of corruption, with new villains, new alliances, and maybe even a new kingpin to challenge Oz.
LeFranc has already teased that Gotham has “so many stories left to tell,” and there’s room to expand while keeping that grounded, noir vibe that made Season 1 stand out. Plus, with Farrell confirmed to appear in The Batman Part II, any future season of The Penguin will likely need to tie into whatever Reeves is building in that film.
