‘The Penguin’ Showrunner Producing Poison Ivy TV Series at HBO

For years, fans have wished for a Poison Ivy TV series, often debating which Batman villain deserves a solo spotlight. Gotham’s eco-obsessed femme fatale has a rich history on screen, yet she has never had the chance to shine in her own movie or show. This has made the prospect of a dedicated project feel perpetually elusive.

Poison Ivy first appeared in the comics in 1966 as a botanical adversary of Batman, and numerous actors have portrayed her over the years. Uma Thurman, Clare Foley, and Maggie Geha have all brought the character to life, while Bridget Regan played Pamela Isley on the CW’s ‘Batwoman’. Additionally, Lake Bell voices her in HBO Max’s animated series ‘Harley Quinn’.

Now, the long wait may finally be over. A Poison Ivy series is in development at HBO, with ‘The Penguin’ showrunner and executive producer Lauren LeFranc in discussions to produce the show, which is backed by Warner Bros. and DC Comics. Variety has also confirmed that the project is underway at HBO.

However, there is an important caveat regarding LeFranc’s involvement. She would be producing the new series but not writing the character’s story expansion, and currently, no writers are attached to the project. Additionally, no lead has been cast at this stage.

Fans eager for another journey through Gotham’s gritty landscape as seen in ‘The Penguin’ should temper their expectations. Reports suggest that this series will be separate from Matt Reeves’ Batman universe. It is still in the early stages of development, and HBO has declined to comment.

According to reports, the delay in progress was primarily due to corporate timing issues. The project had been monitored for several months, with plans to advance stalled because of the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger.

The road to this point has been tumultuous, with various rumors circulating. In July, scooper Jeff Sneider mentioned on ‘The Hot Mic’ that DC Studios might have a Poison Ivy show in the works. Then in August, The Ankler reported that both Catwoman and Poison Ivy shows had been pitched to DC and HBO, but both studios opted not to proceed. Scarlett Johansson’s name was briefly mentioned in connection with Ivy, though it remains unclear if those pitches relate to the current project.

This news comes during a challenging period for DC’s television lineup. Several planned series, including ‘Waller’, ‘Paradise Lost’, and ‘Booster Gold’, have reportedly been put on hold. Amidst this backdrop, the revival of the Poison Ivy show stands out.

LeFranc has established credibility in this area of DC storytelling. ‘The Penguin’ was the first live-action spinoff from a Batman film, airing on HBO in 2024 to critical acclaim for its gritty gangster narrative. The series garnered 24 Emmy nominations and won 9 Emmys, with Colin Farrell taking home both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his leading role.

HBO has clearly sought to keep her talents close. She signed a two-year overall deal with HBO and HBO Max and launched her own production company, Acid and Tender Productions. Her previous credits include ‘Impulse’, ‘Agents of SHIELD’, ‘Chuck’, and ‘Hemlock Grove’.

The character’s modern popularity provides a wealth of material for the series. In ‘Harley Quinn’, Harley and Ivy become a couple by the end of season 2, with Ivy discovering her powers’ true potential while developing a social conscience. This portrayal has helped her become a fan favorite beyond the comics.

On the comic book front, DC announced a ‘Poison Ivy’ miniseries in March 2022, which was later expanded into an ongoing series in February 2023. A live-action adaptation could draw from this character-driven material or from the animated series’ mix of humor and heart. The direction HBO takes will depend on who ultimately writes the show.

At this point, the project is clearly in its infancy, with no writer, no star, and no release window. Nevertheless, a character who has long been a supporting player may finally take center stage, and with a proven Gotham storyteller involved, this marks a promising beginning.

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