Showtime Confirm PENNY DREADFUL From SKYFALL's Sam Mendes And John Logan
From the writer (John Logan) and director (Sam Mendes) of Skyfall comes Penny Dreadful; a series which is described as a "psychosexual horror" and features such well-known horror characters as Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and Van Helsing. Hit the jump to read the press release.
After the success of Skyfall, it should come as no surprise to learn that Showtime entertainment president David Nevins today confirmed that the network responsible for the likes of Dexter and Homeland have given Penny Dreadful a full series order. Prduction is expected to begin in London in the second half of this year and Nevins said that it is "our hope and intention is that Sam Mendes will direct it." Below is the press release in full courtesy of Deadline.
LOS ANGELES, CA (January 12, 2013) – Some of literature’s most iconic figures will step into the light on SHOWTIME in PENNY DREADFUL, a psychosexual horror series created, written and executive produced by three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan (Hugo, The Aviator, Gladiator) and executive produced by Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and Neal Street’s Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road, Call The Midwife), it was announced today by David Nevins, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. PENNY DREADFUL will begin production in London in the second half of 2013.
In PENNY DREADFUL, some of literature’s most famously terrifying characters – including Dr. Frankenstein and his creature, Dorian Gray and iconic figures from the novel Dracula – become embroiled in Victorian London. The series weaves together these classic horror origin stories as the characters grapple with their monstrous alienation. This project marks Logan and Mendes’ second major collaboration, following Skyfall, their recent critically-acclaimed and box office record-breaking James Bond film, which Mendes directed and Logan co-wrote; and their first ever collaboration for television. The project will be produced by Mendes’ production company Neal Street Productions.
"John Logan and Sam Mendes are two of the great storytellers of our time," said Nevins. "The visual spectacle combined with the psychological insight in their reimagining of these iconic literary characters seems totally mesmerizing to me. This promises to be a wholly original television show."