News
‘Penny Dreadful’ Renewed For A Third Season
Gothic horror drama series Penny Dreadful continues to be a success for Showtime, so it comes as no surprise that the premium cable network announced today that it has been renewed for a third season comprised of nine episodes. Creator and showrunner John Logan (Hugo, Spectre) is already hard at work on the next phase of our monstrous heroes’ tale, with production slated to begin once again this fall in Dublin. The second season, which just aired its seventh episode this past weekend, is set to conclude on July 5th.
Courtesy of Variety…
“John Logan’s brilliant writing and this amazingly talented ensemble continue to draw a passionate, global fanbase into the meticulously crafted world of ‘Penny Dreadful,’” said Showtime Networks president David Nevins. “Together with our wonderful partners at Sky Atlantic, we’re excited to see what new haunts John and his team have in store for season three.”
The order for the third season is an episode shorter than the current run, but I wouldn’t worry. Many cable genre shows having been cutting back a bit lately, with Cinemax’s Banshee (not horror, but recommended nonetheless!) lopping off two from its usual amount next season and True Blood had shorter orders in later seasons as well. In many cases, it often leads to tighter storytelling and the budget not being spread out as thinly, which is rarely a bad thing.
What terrors will Season Three hold for Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), Caliban (Rory Kinnear), Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), and the rest? And will the lot I just mentioned even survive long enough to see the start of a third season? I guess we’ll know come July 5th…
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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