10 TV shows like The Penguin that you need to watch next

The first season of The Penguin is over and it was just as great as we expected. Seeing Oswald Cobblepot make out alive after messing with dangerous crime families was an experience like no other. Of course, we’ll see this character return in the Batman films and hopefully in a second season. However, it is also true that we will have to wait a long time before we see the character on screen again. But don’t worry: there are several other TV shows like The Penguin that you can binge-watch in the meantime. Yes, these shows are incredibly good and will make you appreciate the crime drama genre even more.

1. Peacemaker

• IMDb: 8.3
• Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks
• Seasons: 1
• episodes: 8

Of course, you might think that we’re introducing Peacemaker because, like Penguin, it also comes from DC Comics. However, that’s not the only similarity between these two shows. Just like Oz, Christopher Smith (Peacemaker) also had a turbulent past. He suffered a lot at the hands of his father, who was a racist and wanted to raise his son in a similar way.

Like The Penguin, Peacemaker does not shy away from violence and its emotional value. Although Peacemaker has a comedic approach, it will definitely remind you of Penguin in every episode. It will also make you wonder or wish for a scenario where Oz would have gone the Peacemaker path and become an antihero instead of an antagonist.

2. Watchmen

• IMDb: 8.2
• Starring: Regina King, Don Johnson
• Seasons: 1
• episodes: 9

We all remember Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, the masterpiece that never got enough recognition. However, over time, the fandom began to recognize the beauty of the film, so the creators decided to bring more attention to these underrated characters through a TV show.

Like The Penguin, Watchmen is a dark and violent series that makes you fear for your favorite characters. It keeps you on your toes and always wondering what could happen next and which character could get killed.

3. Titans

• IMDb: 7.5
• Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Anna Diop
• Seasons: 4
• episodes: 49

The TV show Penguin tells you that not all villains are completely evil, and the Titans series tells the fandom that not all heroes are perfect. There is an ounce of goodness in the heart of every villain and darkness in the heart of every hero.

Titans comes with some supernatural elements and isn’t as grounded as Penguin, but is very similar to the latest HBO Max show. The TV show focuses on the dark side of Gotham and all the crime families. Instead of focusing on a single villain or hero, Titans gives each hero and villain multiple opportunities to shine. Jason Todd will remind you of Oz most of all. Jason is also a broken boy like Oz, but unlike Cobblepot, Jason is given the right guiding hand at the right time.

4. Gangs of London

• IMDb: 8
• Starring: Joe Cole, Colm Meaney
• Seasons: 2
• episodes: 17

In The Penguin, after the death of Carmine Falcone, his daughter Sofia must take matters into her own hands to prevent the forces from trying to take over her father’s empire. Similarly, Gangs of London sees Sean Wallace having to fight for his rights after his father dies, leaving his entire criminal empire behind.

Finn Wallace, London’s most influential crime boss, is murdered. After the unfortunate incident, his son Sean Wallace has to take his place in the family and in the organization. However, as a newcomer, he faces several challenges in achieving what he desires.

5.Gotham

• IMDb: 7.8
• Starring: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue
• Seasons: 5
• episodes: 100

Gotham isn’t canon to The Penguin or The Batman anywhere, but it’s certainly one of the best crime drama series for DC fans. We’ve always looked at Gotham from Batman’s perspective, with Bruce Wayne always in the background.

However, the TV show Gotham puts the most emphasis on Bruce Wayne’s childhood. It introduces you to younger versions of several popular characters, including Rachael and Cat Woman. Like The Penguin, the Gotham TV series takes you into the underbelly of the crime families.

6. Pennyworth

• IMDb: 7.8
• Starring: Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge
• Seasons: 3
• episodes: 30

Despite having different themes and plots, the area where Pennyworth and The Penguin fits the atmosphere is the absence of our beloved caped crusader. Both shows take place in Batman’s universe, so the first thing fans will notice is Batman’s involvement.

Remember Wayne’s family butler, Alfred Pennyworth? This show follows him in his early days, when he was not a white collar worker, but an ex-soldier trying to set up his own security agency in London. However, his dreams attract the attention of the crowd who want nothing more than the fall of the British government. Therefore, Alfred must overcome all odds to achieve his ambitions.

7. Bad breaking

• IMDb: 9.5
• Starring: Bryan Cranston
• Seasons: 5
• episodes: 62

Breaking Bad isn’t based on a comic book series, but if it had a comic book series, it would certainly fit best into the DC universe. Walter White’s journey is in many ways similar to Oz’s. Both characters decide to dive into the underworld to prove their worth to the world.

The Penguin is about major crime families, and Breaking Bad is full of them. Both TV shows are about underdogs who make a name for themselves by playing mind games and taking down some of the most dangerous drug lords. The Penguin makes you root for Oz, who is not a good guy. Well, Walter White is no saint either. He claims countless innocent lives so he can become the largest Meth distributor in all of America.

8. Peaky blinders

• IMDb: 8.7
• Starring: Cillian Murphy
• Seasons: 6
• episodes: 36

Peaky Blinders is certainly one of the best crime drama series of all time. The series received several awards for its unique story and unforgettable characters, especially Tommy Shelby. Honestly, Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Thomas Shelby has become so famous that the character now deserves his own comic book series.

It’s a dream, of course, but if it becomes reality, we’d love to see it be part of DC Comics. Why? Well, because it would be incredibly exciting to see Thomas Shelby and Penguin play mind games with each other. Both characters are not physically strong, but they grow up and become crime lords by taking advantage of their beautiful but dangerous minds.

9. Boardwalk Empire

• IMDb: 8.6
• Starring: Steve Buscemi
• Seasons: 5
• episodes: 56

Widely praised for its visual styles and storytelling, Boardwalk Empire is a series where the main character even manipulates influential political figures according to his will. Don’t you think Oz Cobb, the main character of HBO’s The Penguin, does the same? The Penguin is all about the crime families that dominate the system and legislation of the entire city, and Boardwalk Empire does not shy away from spotlighting dangerous crime families.

Boardway Empire revolves around Nucky Thompson, who occasionally has to contact political figures and gangsters for his business. The show never reached the heights that other shows like Peacemaker and Watchmen reached, but it’s definitely one not to miss as a fan of this genre.

10. Sugar

• IMDb: 7.4
• Starring: Colin Farrell
• Seasons: 1
• episodes: 8

Sugar is a crime drama series that will always amaze the fanatics with its twists and turns, like The Penguin. In addition, Sugar’s dark tone and unpredictable characters ensure that we can add the show to this list. Also, don’t forget that it is one of the best TV shows Colin Farrell has worked.

The series revolves around John Sugar, a detective who has to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a famous and wealthy film producer by the granddaughter.