Colin Farrell returns as The Penguin in the upcoming HBO series, a spinoff from the 2022 film The Batman, set to premiere on September 19. The series explores Oswald 'Oz' Cobblepot's ascent in Gotham's underworld following the death of crime lord Carmine Falcone. Farrell, transformed through extensive prosthetics and makeup by Mike Marino, described the process as both liberating and challenging, with initial applications taking up to eight hours. Critics have praised his performance, although some question the decision to heavily disguise such a prominent actor. The series aims to capture the essence of classic crime dramas, akin to The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, while Farrell's portrayal has drawn comparisons to sympathetic characters in cinema. The first season will consist of eight episodes, concluding on November 7.