At TCA today, Showtime entertainment president David Nevins confirmed our story that the network has made a deal for a drama series from Skyfall‘s co-writer John Logan and director Sam Mendes. The psychosexual horror project, titled Penny Dreadful, has received a series commitment, with production eyed to begin in London in the second half of 2013. The show will feature some of horror literature’s most famous characters – including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and Dracula – as they become embroiled in Victorian London. During TCA’s executive session, Nevins said that the tone of the ensemble series will be “very realistic and very grounded, not Bela Lugosi. All exist in human form in turn-of-century London.” He noted that Logan, who “has been obsessed with monsters in literature since childhood” and wrote the project on spec, will write every episode of the series, adding that “our hope and intention is that Sam Mendes will direct it.” Logan and Mendes are executive producing with Pippa Harris. Here is the official release:
Related: Showtime Lands High-Concept Drama From ‘Skyfall’ Duo John Logan And Sam Mendes
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 12, 2013) – Some of literature’s most iconic figures will step into the light on SHOWTIME in PENNY DREADFUL, a psychosexual horror series created, written and executive produced by three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan (Hugo, The Aviator, Gladiator) and executive produced by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and Neal Street’s Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road, Call The Midwife), it was announced today by David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. PENNY DREADFUL will begin production in London in the second half of 2013.
In PENNY DREADFUL, some of literature’s most famously terrifying characters – including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula – become embroiled in Victorian London. The series weaves together these classic horror origin stories as the characters grapple with their monstrous alienation. This project marks Logan and Mendes’ second major collaboration, following Skyfall, their recent critically-acclaimed and box office record-breaking James Bond film, which Mendes directed and Logan co-wrote; and their first ever collaboration for television. The project will be produced by Mendes’ production company Neal Street Productions.
“John Logan and Sam Mendes are two of the great storytellers of our time,” said Nevins. ”The visual spectacle combined with the psychological insight in their reimagining of these iconic literary characters seems totally mesmerizing to me. This promises to be a wholly original television show.”
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
Such a hilarious comment about being “original.” This felt like an older script that got rejuvenated purely to take advantage of the participants’ heat. There’s nothing new or fresh about it, just another “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” or even worse “Van Helsing.” Pedigree wins over product yet again. Yes, I read it. And this will be a pricey disappointment. Notice how “Star Trek: Nemesis” was left off the credits. They’d be better off bringing Chris Carter back.
Nothing new under the sun. NOTHING is original.
Frankenstein was not a doctor but a student. This mistake is made too often.
Why not Bela Lugosi? What’s wrong with Bela Lugosi? He brought Dracula to life and set the standard for that character. I demand they give me the respect I deserve. They must pay homage to me.
The real pink elephant in the room is DRACULA that’s being done (brilliantly word on the street has it) right now with NBC and SKY with bunch of A listers: Carnival Flims, Tony Krantz, Colin Calendar, Dan Knauf and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the lead. Let’s see what happens, but my money is on the King of Walachia, Vlad Tepes and his reincarnation over at NBC!
I wonder if there are any books by author Kim Newman, who has written superior versions on this theme for 20 years, on John Logan’s shelf? Or maybe Sam and John just watched “League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen” in frustration one night while failing to come up with a decent third act for “Skyfall”.
@The English Impatient — I had the same thought about Kim Newman, whose marvelous “Anno Dracula” has already plowed this ground. For those unfamiliar w/the book, it’s set in a 19th century England in which the widowed Queen Victoria has married one Vlad Tepes aka Count Dracula. Pretty much every character–real or fictional–from Victorian era shows up in the novel. For those familiar w/Victoriana, the book is pure bliss.
I rarely comment on here about my excitement for projects, but I feel compelled to write that this sounds like a truly amazing project from an achingly brilliant pair of collaborators.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this. This could be legendary.