Horror · Thriller · Supernatural
Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. They are joined by a core of original characters in a complex, frightening new narrative. Penny Dreadful is a psychological thriller filled with dark mystery and suspense, where personal demons from the past can be stronger than vampires, evil spirits and immortal beasts.
27 listed episodes across 3 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.
Monsters and demons haunt Victorian London. In the opener, police investigate a series of gruesome deaths but renowned explorer Sir Malcolm Murray and the alluring Vanessa Ives know there is something darker at play than mere murder. They recruit an American sharpshooter and Dr. Victor Frankenstein to help them find someone close to them.
Vanessa and Sir Malcolm attend a party at the home of Egyptologist Sir Ferdinand Lyle and meet Dorian Gray. The party takes an ominous turn when medium Madame Kali hosts a séance. Meanwhile, Ethan befriends Brona Croft, a young Irish immigrant.
Dr. Frankenstein is confronted by his past. Meanwhile, Vanessa has a vision of Mina.
Vanessa's infatuation with Dorian Gray continues to grow. Meanwhile, Malcolm hires Van Helsing to work with Dr. Frankenstein to find a cure to the disease that may be affecting his daughter; and Fenton draws his master to Malcolm's mansion.
Vanessa recalls her past and the events that led to Mina's disappearance.
Vanessa's latest vision leads Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene to explore a plague ship in search of Mina. Meanwhile, Van Helsing reveals to Dr. Frankenstein more details about the creature that has taken Mina. Later, Vanessa's night with Dorian unlocks something dark within her.
Sir Malcolm, Ethan and Sembene do everything possible in an effort to save Vanessa.
Season 1 ends with Vanessa and Sir Malcolm facing their worst nightmares.
Season 2 begins with Vanessa being barraged by an onslaught of disturbing occult images brought on by Evelyn Poole. Meanwhile, Ethan decides to leave London because of the massacre he committed; Dr. Frankenstein tries to bring Brona back to life; and Malcolm returns to London and learns that a new evil is haunting Vanessa.
Vanessa is haunted by the witches and seeks solace with Sir Malcolm; Rusk tries to find the sole survivor of the Mariner's Inn massacre; Dr. Frankenstein gives the reborn Brona a new identity; Dorian meets an intriguing woman with a secret; the Creature gets a new job; Evelyn's daughter hunts down a prize for her mother.
In a flashback, Vanessa meets the Cut-Wife who teaches her how to harness her powers, and warns her of the danger that lies ahead and the evil that pursues her.
Lyle reveals that the Verbis Diablo relics tell a very dark and disturbing story that affects Vanessa; Rusk interviews the survivor of the attack at the Mariner's Inn; Hecate tries to get closer to Ethan; Angelique and Dorian's romance grows. Back at Sir Malcolm's mansion, Vanessa, Ethan, Sir Malcolm, Sembene and Lyle carry on their evening as something evil lurks within, ready to strike.
Hecate returns to her mother with a gift; Evelyn works on a new totem; the mansion is attacked; the Creature grows impatient with Frankenstein; Rusk interrogates Ethan; Vanessa and the Creature's friendship deepens; Angelique is humiliated while out with Dorian.
Vanessa and Ethan give Sir Malcolm tragic news; Lavinia Putney is disturbed by an encounter with the Creature; Roper hunts down Ethan; Dorian hosts a lavish ball in Angelique's honor; a glorious night turns to horror for Vanessa.
Vanessa and Ethan flee to the Cut-Wife's cottage on the lonely moors where they draw closer together, until a figure from her dark past resurfaces. Meanwhile, Lyle and Frankenstein uncover disturbing information from the Verbis Diablo relics; and its learned that Lily isn't what she appears to be.
The Creature unleashes his rage over Lily on Frankenstein. Inspector Rusk discovers a connection to Ethan Chandler. Sir Malcolm goes to confront Evelyn - but quickly finds himself assaulted by another one of her deadly enchantments.
Vanessa and Ethan learn that Sir Malcolm is in danger. Desperate to save him, Vanessa goes alone to battle Evelyn, while Ethan, Frankenstein, Sembene and Lyle head to Evelyn's mansion. Plus, Lily reveals her true self to Dorian.
Season 2 ends with Vanessa relying on her strength to defeat the demon.
On Ferdinand's advice, Vanessa goes to see an alienist, Dr. Seward. Meanwhile, Ethan receives a reprieve from death while Malcolm receives a visitor. Elsewhere, Caliban begins his journey back to England while Victor seeks out an old friend for help dealing with Lily.
Dorian and Lily recruit another to their cause. Meanwhile, Vanessa makes a confession to Seward and then invites a new friend to a show. Malcolm and Kaetenay travel to the States, where Ethan continues the journey to meet his father.
The Master's familiar approaches Vanessa and tells her that she has met the Master once before at the Banning Clinic. Meanwhile, Malcolm and Kaetenay arrive in the U.S. to hunt Ethan, who is traveling with Hecate. In London, Caliban finds the wife and child of his former life, while Lily and Dorian recruit their first soldier.
Using hypnosis, Vanessa discovers what really happened to her during her time at the Banning Institute.
Hecate and Ethan travel across the desert, struggling to survive, while the marshals follow them and Malcolm and Kaetenay follow the marshals. In London, Victor and Henry continue their experiments to perfect Henry's serum.
Jared has dinner with Ethan, Hecate, Malcolm, Rusk, and Oslow, and invites his son Ethan to do his worse. Meanwhile, Vanessa takes Seward's advice and forms a closer bond with Sweet, while Victor pays Lily and Dorian a visit.
Kaetenay returns to London with Ethan and Malcolm to prevent the darkness that he has foreseen. Meanwhile, Vanessa realizes who Sweet really is, while Caliban is reunited with his family. Elsewhere, Dorian grows bored with Lily's revolution and makes his own plans.
Malcolm, Ethan, and Kaetenay arrive in London and discover the city shrouded in a lethal fog. While they hunt for Vanessa and find several valuable allies, Victor considers what to do with Lily. Meanwhile, Justine makes her choice, and Sweet confronts Ethan.
To save the world from darkness, Malcolm and his allies must confront Dracula at the heart of his power... and make a terrible choice.
Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.
