Forget ‘Below,’ Josh Hartnett’s 3-Part Gothic Thriller Series Is a True Masterpiece

Hartnett’s Earlier Gothic Role

Hartnett has returned to public attention through roles in Oppenheimer, Black Mirror and the drama Below. Below has been performing strongly on Netflix’s streaming charts, bringing fresh interest to the actor’s earlier work.

In Penny Dreadful, Hartnett played Ethan Chandler. The series offered a different showcase for his acting range, set within an atmospheric Gothic horror story.

A Series With Its Own Ending

Penny Dreadful premiered on Showtime in 2014 and ran for three seasons. The show concluded in 2016 with a finale that arrived unexpectedly for viewers at the time.

Rather than leave its story open, the series ended on its own terms. It did not gain broad acclaim during its run, but has developed a cult following since the finale.

A Notable Ensemble Cast

The series also featured Eva Green as a tortured clairvoyant struggling with inner darkness. Billie Piper played a furious, self-directed version of the Bride of Frankenstein. The show’s Gothic atmosphere and ambitious approach helped distinguish it. Renewed interest in maritime horror, alongside attention around Below and Widows’ Bay, offers a reason for viewers to take another look at Penny Dreadful.