Penny Dreadful (2014)

Penny Dreadful is a dark, atmospheric gothic drama that plunges you into a haunted, stylized Victorian London where classic literary monsters and original characters collide. Explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, scientist Victor Frankenstein and the enigmatic medium Vanessa Ives form an uneasy alliance to confront a rising tide of supernatural threats. The series mixes horror and fantasy with psychological drama, exploring trauma, faith, identity and the cost of confronting evil. Watching Penny Dreadful you’ll experience a slow‑burn, tension-filled story told with lush period detail, moody cinematography and a brooding score. Expect visceral scares, moments of brutal violence and body horror alongside intense, often intimate character work. The show leans heavily on atmosphere and performance — especially the tortured charisma of Vanessa Ives — so much of the horror comes from emotional and moral stakes rather than jump scares. If you like literary allusions, you’ll spot echoes of Dracula, Frankenstein and other Victorian myths woven into the plot. The pacing alternates between suspenseful investigations and deeply personal reckonings, rewarding viewers who enjoy character-driven storytelling as much as supernatural chills. Content can be graphic and psychologically intense, so it’s best suited to viewers who appreciate moody, mature horror with complex characters.

Actors: Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Eva Green

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Horror

8.2 /10 8.2 /10