Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020)
A dark supernatural saga set in 1938 Los Angeles, where ancient mythology collides with the social fault lines of a city on the edge.
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Series Information
- Original Title: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: John Logan
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Drama, Crime, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 26, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), April 26, 2020 (United Kingdom - 18), April 26, 2020 (Germany - 18), April 26, 2020 (Australia - MA15+), April 26, 2020 (Brazil - 18), April 26, 2020 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: Showtime
- Alternative Titles: Бульварные ужасы: Город ангелов (RU)
- Production Companies: Desert Wolf Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Plot
Rooted in the conflict between characters connected to the deity Santa Muerte and others allied with the Devil, this saga explores an exciting mix of the supernatural and the combustible reality of 1938 Los Angeles, a time and place deeply infused with Mexican-American folklore and social tension.
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the dark world of 1938 Los Angeles come to life.
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Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- John Logan
Main Cast
- Natalie Dormer
- Daniel Zovatto
- Kerry Bishé
- Adriana Barraza
- Jessica Garza
- Michael Gladis
- Johnathan Nieves
- Rory Kinnear
- Nathan Lane
- Rico Suarez
Writers
- John Logan
- Colin S. Liddle
- Vinnie Wilhelm
- Tatiana Suarez-Pico
- Jose Rivera
Executive Producers
- Sam Mendes
- Pippa Harris
- John Logan
- Michael Aguilar
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels - FAQs
Is Penny Dreadful: City of Angels connected to the original Penny Dreadful?
City of Angels is a spiritual companion rather than a direct sequel. It shares a creator in John Logan and the same dark, gothic sensibility, but moves to a completely different setting — 1938 Los Angeles — with an entirely new cast, mythology, and storylines rooted in Mexican-American folklore and the supernatural.
What is Penny Dreadful: City of Angels about?
Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the series weaves together supernatural mythology and social history. At its core is a cosmic struggle between forces aligned with Santa Muerte and those serving the Devil, played out against a backdrop of Mexican-American community life, rising fascism, and the racial tensions of Depression-era California.
Where can you watch Penny Dreadful: City of Angels?
The series is available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently included in any subscription streaming service, so purchasing individual episodes or the full season is the most straightforward way to watch it.
Why was Penny Dreadful: City of Angels cancelled after one season?
Showtime cancelled City of Angels in 2020 after a single season, citing low viewership and mixed critical reception. The show struggled to build a dedicated audience, and the network ultimately decided not to commission a second season, leaving several storylines unresolved.
Who plays Magda in Penny Dreadful: City of Angels?
Natalie Dormer plays Magda, a shape-shifting demonic figure who serves as the series' central antagonist. The role is a showcase for Dormer's range — Magda adopts multiple identities throughout the season, allowing the actress to inhabit several distinct characters within a single performance.
How was Penny Dreadful: City of Angels received by critics?
Critical reception was decidedly mixed. Reviewers praised Natalie Dormer's performance and the show's ambitious visual style and historical atmosphere, but many felt the narrative spread itself too thin across too many storylines. It holds a modest score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting a divided critical response.
Is Penny Dreadful: City of Angels based on a true story?
The series is fictional, but it draws heavily on real historical context. The 1938 Los Angeles setting incorporates actual events and tensions of the era, including the Zoot Suit Riots' precursor atmosphere, the rise of fascist sympathizers in America, and the lived experience of Mexican-American communities in Southern California.
What are similar shows to Penny Dreadful: City of Angels?
Fans of the series may enjoy The Twilight Zone (2019) for its dark anthology storytelling, Monsterland (2020) for its supernatural horror grounded in human drama, and Lisey's Story (2021) for its atmospheric, literary approach to the uncanny. Mr. Mercedes (2017) also offers a similarly moody, character-driven genre experience.
More About Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
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