Penny Dreadful Quietly Perfected the 1 Fantasy Trope That Killed Every Other Adaptation

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Before recent monster re-imaginings like Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, there was Penny Dreadful. This short-lived but critically acclaimed Showtime series was a gothic and atmospheric exploration of classic literary monsters. The show centered on Vanessa Ives, a troubled woman in Victorian London who found herself caught between the human world and a hidden, fantastical one. A major reason for the series’ popularity was Eva Green’s compelling performance as Vanessa, alongside a strong supporting cast.

Vanessa’s ability to tap into dark and supernatural powers proved valuable to Malcolm Murray, the father of the well-known Mina Murray from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. As they searched for the missing Mina, they brought in Ethan, who eventually revealed a monstrous side himself. This group faced three seasons of intense magic and evil, presented in a particularly dark reimagining of classic characters. Penny Dreadful also stood out for its faithfulness to the original gothic stories, succeeding in a way few other adaptations had.

Penny Dreadful Isn’t the First Attempt to Bring Classic Monsters to the Big Screen

Stories and characters from classic literature often reappear in entertainment, though the results aren’t always successful. Before the show Penny Dreadful, many tried to bring these figures back to life with disappointing outcomes. For example, the 2004 film Van Helsing, released during Hugh Jackman’s peak popularity, was poorly received. Even Jackman’s strong reputation as Wolverine couldn’t save a film that had the potential to be a compelling origin story for the famous vampire hunter. Instead, it felt like a chaotic collection of monsters thrown together with little connection. Jackman played a version of Gabriel Van Helsing, a character quite different from the Abraham Van Helsing featured in the original Dracula novel.

The movie Van Helsing centers around a character who wakes up with amnesia, remembering only being found at a church and subsequently working as a monster hunter for the Vatican. During his adventures, he meets Anna Velarious, the sole survivor of a family dedicated to destroying Dracula. Dracula, meanwhile, is trying to use the scientific work of Frankenstein to have children with his brides. The film also features appearances by Frankenstein’s monster and Mr. Hyde, and ultimately reveals that Van Helsing himself transforms into a werewolf.

Critics disliked the movie when it first came out, finding both the story and its execution silly. Released before the original comic book was finished, the film only used pieces of what made the story work. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen brought together famous characters like Dr. Jekyll, Dorian Gray, Captain Nemo, and Mina Harker (who had become a vampire after the events of Dracula), but like Van Helsing, the reasons for their team-up felt forced and uninspired. The potential of these characters wasn’t fully realized until nearly ten years later with a television series that explored their stories and motivations in a more meaningful way. Penny Dreadful successfully built upon this foundation, offering a stylish and compelling take on the concept.

Penny Dreadful Cracked the Universal Monster Code

The show Penny Dreadful quickly gained popularity because, unlike previous attempts, it wasn’t primarily focused on action. Films like Van Helsing and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen tried to build franchises using recognizable characters, but lacked emotional depth. Penny Dreadful, however, was a gothic drama that used classic characters to tell compelling and moving stories. The series’ title comes from the cheap, serialized stories—costing only a penny—that were popular in the 19th century. These ‘penny dreadfuls’ often featured dark, sometimes supernatural, tales, and introduced characters like Sweeney Todd and Spring Heeled Jack. The show aimed for the same dark and atmospheric tone as these original stories.

Vanessa Ives began the series as a deeply troubled woman. Her lifelong sadness stemmed from a connection to Lucifer, and this darkness fractured her childhood friendship with Mina Murray when she was unfaithful with Mina’s fiancé. This ultimately led Vanessa to the Master, an early version of Dracula. The story then focused on Vanessa’s journey toward healing, as she joined forces with Mina’s father to find her. Their search took them through the shadowy side of London, where they met recognizable figures portrayed in a grounded and believable way. During this time, Vanessa befriended a young Victor Frankenstein, who became like family to them.

When not occupied with his work, Victor Frankenstein delved into the mysteries of life and death, ultimately creating the creature known as the Monster. This exploration was the central idea behind Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The television series Penny Dreadful portrays Frankenstein as initially succeeding in bringing life to assembled body parts, but being disappointed with the result. Unlike the common image of a monstrous figure, his first creation was surprisingly refined and articulate. Much like the character in Shelley’s book, this being was unusual in appearance but possessed a sensitive and poetic soul, identifying himself as John Clare and demonstrating a deep love for language and writing.

The show Penny Dreadful didn’t shy away from dark themes, even featuring the resurrection of a woman who had died from illness. This storyline poignantly explored how women were often objectified. The revived woman, Brona, became Lily and was essentially created to serve men’s desires, offering a strong social critique. Vanessa, too, suffered due to the societal pressures of her time. Her deep connection to the supernatural led her family to disown her, resulting in horrific treatment in an asylum where she was tormented and convinced she was wicked. Sir Malcolm stepped in as a father figure after everyone else had given up on her. Penny Dreadful prioritized character development above simply bringing famous literary figures together; instead, it crafted a deeply emotional story over three seasons, transforming these iconic characters into fully realized individuals with complex journeys.

Penny Dreadful Deserved More Than a Rushed Ending

Life is full of suffering, and that’s where the unsettling feeling in this story comes from. Every character faced a heartbreaking fate, proving the show’s central idea. John Clare’s tragedy began at birth, as he was brought into a world he didn’t choose. His creator, Frankenstein, immediately rejected him, labeling him a failure and leaving him to fend for himself. The emotional pain of this abandonment deeply affected Clare, ultimately leading him down a path of revenge.

He wasn’t simply a victim; he was a complicated person. The pain he experienced caused him to act poorly towards others. Clare was devastated to discover Frankenstein had started a relationship with someone else. The doctor had successfully created another being from the dead, but Clare killed this new creation right away. Frankenstein’s first creation also longed for companionship, feeling unloved for who he was. The doctor had unleashed something entirely new into the world, and Clare felt like she didn’t belong in it.

For him, love seemed like the only path to meaning. In Penny Dreadful, Frankenstein once again hurt Clare by falling for Lily, and these kinds of emotional struggles are central to the show. Vanessa’s troubled connection to darkness ultimately triggered an apocalyptic event, which played out in the series finale. Her difficult romance with Ethan was never meant to last, and her decision to sacrifice herself to him deeply saddened viewers. Penny Dreadful was a beautifully crafted show that also represented some of the best television being made, but its unexpected cancellation left the ending feeling unfinished. Many storylines, even those developed over multiple seasons, didn’t quite come together because the series was cut short.

Although Vanessa’s fate seemed predetermined from the start, many viewers thought her death felt hurried and unsatisfying. It came after a strong season, but the finale lacked emotional impact, as if the show hadn’t received the careful attention it deserved – especially considering how good it had been. Despite competing with a massive hit like Game of Thrones, this show managed to stand out by focusing on flawed, compelling characters within a supernatural setting.

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2025-11-13 03:12