WHAT THE BUTLER SAW
Kapow! The latest DC Comics character to get their own TV show is none other than Batman’s butler Alfred, told in the brand-new series Pennyworth
HERE’S A BIZARRE thing: we’ve never seen the origin story of one of the most-loved and enigmatic characters in DC Comics’ entire Batman universe. But now, new TV series Pennyworth is about to right that wrong by taking us deep into the past of Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred. First released in July in America, this exciting and original new addition to the DC universe is now coming to UK screens thanks to streaming titans STARZPLAY. Welcome to the most extraordinary coming-of-age story you have never heard. A former SAS soldier afflicted with PTSD, young Alfred (Jack Bannon) remains skilled in the old ultra-violence, despite intending to live “a peaceful life”. When we meet him, he’s determined to be his own man, resisting pressure from his brutish dad (Ian Puleston-davies) to follow in his footsteps as a butler. By night, he’s a nightclub bouncer, and by day strives to make a success of his own security firm. Alfred’s whole life flips when he meets Thomas Wayne, the future father of Batman himself, after rescuing the young billionaire from a couple of nightclub thugs. The apparently harmless act of handing Thomas a business card gets Alfred embroiled in a huge behind-the-scenes war between extreme political groups The Raven Society and The No-name League, who are fighting to reshape Britain. Fronted by Lord Harwood (played by Jason Flemying), The Raven Society are hunting for Thomas Wayne, and see Alfred as a pawn they can control to find him. On Harwood’s orders, the psychotic and entertainingly
Sykes (Paloma Faith) abducts Alfred’s new girlfriend Esme Winikus (Emma Corrin) to use as leverage. This move, of course, only forces the ex-soldier to drag his military mates Bazza and Dave Boy into an increasingly desperate and violent mission to save her. Although Pennyworth forms part of Batman legend, there’s not a superhero in sight. Bullets and fists fly in equal measure as this dark and action-packed story drives us into thrilling new territory. The lavish cinematography and high production values establish the gorgeous atmosphere of espionage, class war and shadowy conspiracies, not to mention a unique vision of London. Set in the Swinging Sixties – with the interesting touch of each episode being named after a female ’60’s icon, such as Lady Penelope or Julie Christie – the show plays with the usual imagery of that period. Lending its own visual spin to the expected, it gathers elements from past and future incarnations of the capital. Zeppelins punctuate the skyline. Wrongdoers are publicly locked in stocks and pelted with rotten veg. A club singer belts out Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back To Black’. The more this first season evolves, the more interesting – and unexpected – details we discover about the characters. Bet Sykes, for instance, has a far more moralistic sister named Peggy (Polly Walker), who also happens to be one of Lancashire’s most successful dominatrixes. And when Alfred Pennyworth ends up working alongside Thomas Wayne on a regular basis, we’ll see exactly how high up the social and political ladders the whole Ravens Vs No-names conflict runs. So from 25 October you can kiss goodbye to all those weekend plans, because the immersive world of Pennyworth is about to have you glued to the screen.