(UK, 2014-16) Hands down, the best monster mash-up ever. Frankenstein is there with his Creature and The Bride. Dracula, Dorian Gray and Dr. Jekyll show up, along with assorted werewolves, vampires, witches, psychics, possessed souls and others. They all have well-developed stories of their own, but what drives the show is their involvement with the deeply conflicted Vanessa Ives, played to the hilt by Eva Green. She’s a battleground for good and evil, attacked from with in by madness, her voracious, sadistic sexuality and religious doubts. At the same time, she’s the target of various supernatural evils for what turn out to be most compelling reasons.
The other characters are equally troubled. All of which makes for strong drama, packed with surprising plot turns, high emotion, sex and violence, sharp writing, acting, visuals and pace. Highly rewatchable.
Purchase or watch Penny Dreadful Season 1