Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman’s Butler, also known simply as Pennyworth, will be moving from the show’s original home on Epix to HBO Max, joining popular shows like Abbott Elementary and Westworld, to name a few. Pennyworth creator Bruno Heller has officially spoken out regarding the move, citing it as advantageous for the show’s viewership.
First premiering in 2019 on Epix, Pennyworth: The Origins of Batman’s Butler focuses on the backstory of Alfred Pennyworth, just as the title suggests. The series, which currently has two seasons, follows Jack Bannon (The Imitation Game) as Alfred Pennyworth, a former soldier in the British Special Air Service (SAS) who, after leaving the service, endeavors to start his own private security company. Throughout the series, Alfred finds himself a target of the Raven Society, a fascist organization aiming to take over the British Government, and begins working against them alongside American No Name agents Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane, the eventual parents of Bruce Wayne.
Along with Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge, Ryan Fletcher, Paloma Faith, and Emma Paetz also star. Season 2 of Pennyworth concluded in April 2021, and season three will premiere on HBO Max, according to show creator Bruno Heller.
Bruno Heller on moving ‘Pennyworth’ to HBO Max
Speaking with Deadline, Heller describes the move between Epix and HBO Max as a matter of platform and states that surrounding Pennyworth with popular, big-name shows like House of the Dragon and Succession should bring it more views by proxy. Describing the show as a product in a proverbial grocery store, Heller stated the following:
“Years ago, people had very few choices. Now it’s much more like a supermarket. I don’t mean to be crass about this, but you’re on a shelf and where you are on the shelf becomes very important in a way that it wasn’t before. So platforms matter. We are just very excited to be in the center aisle, in the middle of shelf, next to the cornflakes instead of up there with the maple honey granola with soy granules in it. All of those cereals have an audience, but you get a bigger audience if you’re next to the Frosted Flakes.”
It is currently unclear what effect the move to HBO Max will have on Pennyworth as a series. Still, Heller has also confirmed that very little will change about the “extreme likability” of Jack Bannon as Alfred Pennyworth, who Heller describes as “very charismatic” with an “easy, relaxed way” about him.
More information regarding Pennyworth’s move from Epix to HBO Max will likely become available as we get closer to the season 3 release date, which is currently set as November 24th.