‘The Penguin’ Opens to 5.3 Million Viewers Across Platforms

“The Penguin” is an ice cold hit.

Per HBO, the spinoff series starring Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti opened to 5.3 million U.S. viewers across all platforms since its debut on Sept. 19. That includes repeat airings on HBO as well as streaming viewership. That puts it above the final season premiere of “Succession,” which drew 4.9 million viewers, and the second season premiere of “The White Lotus,” which drew 4.1 million. It also falls just behind the premiere of “True Detective: Night Country,” which nabbed 5.7 million viewers.

Additionally, the show has landed the biggest 4-day audience for a new series on Max in every region globally since “The Last of Us” in Jan. 2023.

Farrell reprises his role from “The Batman” in the series, once again playing Gotham City gangster Oswald “Oz” Cobb. The series picks up in the days after the events of “The Batman,” with Oz seeking to seize control of the Gotham underworld in the power vacuum created by the death of his former boss, Carmine Falcone.

The show has also found plenty of love with critics, with “The Penguin” currently holding a 94% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In her review for Variety, Aramide Tinubu wrote, “A masterful examination of criminality, the show is twisted, disturbing and deeply enthralling.”

The cast of the series also includes Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, and Michael Zegen. Mark Strong portrays Falcone in flashbacks, with John Turturro having played the character in “The Batman.”

Lauren LeFranc is the writer, executive producer, and showrunner of “The Penguin.” “The Batman” director Matt Reeves executive produces via 6th & Idaho, while Dylan Clark executive produces via Dylan Clark Productions. Farrell executive produces in addition to starring. Craig Zobel is executive producing and directing the first three episodes. 6th & Idaho’s Daniel Pipski also serves as executive producer, as does Bill Carraro, with Rafi Crohn co-executive producing.