HBO Max has canceled the origin story of Batman’s butler and aide, Alfred Pennyworth. The show ran for three seasons with the final episode airing on the platform last November 24.
Pennyworth’s cancelation is hardly surprising given the massive restructuring of DC projects that includes the cancelation of several shows, including Doom Patrol and Titans. Besides, Peter Safran and James Gunn who head the new-look DC Studios unveiled their slate of five films and five television series for the DC Universe a few days ago.
Given the fact that there was no mention of Pennyworth, it was a foregone conclusion that the show would soon be yanked off the air.
Speaking on Pennyworth’s cancelation, an HBO spokesperson stated, “While HBO Max is not moving forward with another season of ‘Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler,’ we are very thankful to creator Bruno Heller and executive producers Matthew Patnick, Danny Cannon and John Stephens, along with Warner Bros. Television, for their brilliant, unique, gripping depiction of the origin of Alfred Pennyworth, one of the most iconic characters in the Batman world. An incredible blend of action, drama and humor, for three seasons, ‘Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler’ has taken fans on a mind-bending ride into Alfred’s eccentric world and the beginnings of cutting-edge super heroes and super villains.”
Set in London in the 1960s, Pennyworth follows the early life of the titular character, prior to becoming the Wayne family butler. The series introduces Pennyworth as a former member of the Special Air Service (SAS) of the British Army who forms his own security company with his fellow SAS veterans when he can’t secure gainful employment.
In Pennyworth, Jack Bannon stars as the titular character, Alfred Pennyworth, while Ben Aldridge, Dorothy Atkinson, Ryan Fletcher, Paloma Faith, Emma Paetz, and Ramon Tikaram star as Thomas Wayne, Mary Pennyworth, Dave Boy, Bet Sykes, Martha Wayne, and Inspector Victor respectively.
The action thriller series is based on the eponymous DC Comics character created by Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson. It was adapted for television by Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, who also served as executive producers and showrunners. Pennyworth debuted on the MGM-backed cable channel Epix where it aired its first two seasons before moving to HBO Max for its third season under the title Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler.
Speaking of, Gunn and Safran’s roster of ten films and shows includes a Batman and Robin film, The Brave and the Bold. So, fans of the character will be seeing the character in action again soon. That is asides from Matt Reeves’s take on the Caped Crusader which will arrive in December 2025.
Pennyworth seasons one to three are available on HBO Max.
