A lot of people don't know this, but Batman's Alfred Pennyworth can probably kick your ass. Oh, you think I'm joking? I certainly am not. Beneath those manners and finely pressed suits lies the heart and soul of a stone-cold badass. Think about it. Have you ever seen the character's sweet moves on Fox's GOTHAM? Are you at all familiar with Pennyworth's military background? I'm telling you, that dude has seen some things and some stuff.
Regardless on where you're at on your Pennyworth 101, we're all poised to learn a whole lot more about the character, as Epix has just ordered a 10-episode, straight-to-series order for PENNYWORTH, a drama set in the Batman universe from GOTHAM showrunner Bruno Heller. Now, before you start flipping tables, you should know that the show is not a GOTHAM spinoff but rather a brand-new story set to explore Alfred's origins as a former British SAS solider who forms a secret company and goes to work with Thomas Wayne — Bruce's billionaire father, in 1960s London. If you need proof that the show is not associated with GOTHAM in any way, you can cool your heels on the fact that Sean Pertwee, who plays the stern caretaker to a young Bruce Wayne on Fox's series, is not involved. When PENNYWORTH arrives, it will feature a new cast of characters and will be set in an entirely different universe despite hailing from Heller and producers Warner Horizon. Meanwhile, GOTHAM has just been picked up by Fox for its fifth and final season with an abbreviated 13-episode renewal.
"As genuine fans of these classic DC characters, as well as the incredibly talented Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, we couldn’t be more excited to make Epix the home of this series," Epix president Michael Wright commented. "We can’t wait to work with Bruno and Danny — along with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner, Brett Paul and the team at Warner Horizon — on this fantastic origin story.”
While PENNYWORTH may be considered an idea that no one (besides me) is asking for, I will say that the show certainly has the potential to provide Bat-fans with a unique opportunity to give depth and substance to the bringer of Batman's Lobster Thermidor. Plus, a gritty 10-episode maxi-series of good ol' Alfred mixing it up as a lethal SAS agent could be a lot of fun. Honestly, if he wields a bowler hat with a razor's edge, I'm going to lose it. Alfred has always been one of my favorite characters in the Batverse for as long as I can recall, and my fingers are officially crossed for this spinoff to be as entertaining as the concept is risky.
Na na na na na na na na … ALFRED!