The butler did it!
Batman’s butler and confidante Alfred Pennyworth is getting his own series, courtesy of Epix and Gotham show runner Bruno Heller.
The Batman prequel will be set in a different universe to Gotham, and will have a lifespan of at least 10 episodes.
Titled Pennyworth, the series will explore Alfred’s early days in the SAS, before dovetailing into how he found his way into the employment of Thomas Wayne in 1960s London.
The show will mark the first time Alfred has been centre stage on TV, having spent decades as a supporting character. In film he has been portrayed most notably by: Michael Gough, Michael Caine, and Jeremy Irons. And on TV by: Alan Napier, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, and Sean Pertwee.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Epix President Michael Wright said: “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.”
Debuting in ‘Batman’ #16, Alfred began life as a bumbling butler providing comic relief, though he still managed to quickly uncover that Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were Batman and Robin. Since those early days, Alfred developed into a sarcastic jack-of-all-trades acting as Batman’s: butler, surrogate father, best friend, technical support, and medic. The former SAS and actor followed in the footsteps of his father Jarvis, and a long line of Pennyworth’s to serve the Wayne family, becoming Bruce’s legal guardian after the death of his parents.
Over the years, Alfred saved the lives of Batman and Robin on numerous occasions. In one of Batman’s strangest adventures, Alfred saved the dynamic duo from a falling boulder and seemingly died. He was, however, resurrected by a scientist, and returned from the dead with no memory of who he was, chalk-white skin, superpowers, and a hatred for Batman and Robin. Alfred became a supervillain called The Outsider, a puppet master whose criminal allies fought the heroes before he faced them himself. Batman and Robin defeated The Outsider, and returned Alfred to his rightful place at Wayne Manor. Alfred retained no memories of his time as a villain, and continued to support Batman and his extended family.
Pennyworth has the potential to be a great show, but it’s difficult not to consider that Epix are scraping the barrel for a superhero spin-off. If it is successful will it end before it becomes 60 minutes of Alfred polishing silverware?
It may not be the prequel we deserve, or that we need right now.
