Here’s all you need to know about the summary, starcast, bold scenes and availability of the Penny Dreadful: City of Angels TV series.
Summary
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels is a Showtime original series that premiered in 2020. Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the series diverges significantly from the Victorian-era gothic horror of its predecessor, instead immersing itself in the rich and often turbulent cultural and political landscape of a city on the cusp of significant change.
The story begins with a gruesome murder that draws Detective Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto), the LAPD’s first Chicano detective, and his seasoned partner, Lewis Michener (Nathan Lane), into a complex investigation. As they delve deeper, they uncover a sprawling web of supernatural forces and deep-seated societal tensions.
At the heart of the conflict are two powerful spiritual sisters: Santa Muerte (Lorenza Izzo), the benevolent Angel of Holy Death, and her formidable demonic counterpart, Magda (Natalie Dormer), a shape-shifting entity who believes humanity is inherently evil and actively works to ignite racial conflict, political corruption, and violence.
The series explores various interconnected storylines, including the rise of Nazism and American nativism, the construction of the city’s first freeways threatening Mexican-American communities, the burgeoning radio evangelism movement, and the struggles of the Vega family caught between tradition and modern American life. It’s a dark fantasy, crime drama, and historical narrative interwoven with themes of race, class, faith, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
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Star Cast
- Natalie Dormer as Magda (and her various human forms: Elsa, Alex, Rio, and others)
- Daniel Zovatto as Detective Tiago Vega
- Nathan Lane as Detective Lewis Michener
- Kerry Bishé as Sister Molly Finnister
- Adriana Barraza as Maria Vega
- Michael Gladis as Councilman Charlton Townsend
- Johnathan Nieves as Mateo Vega
- Jessica Garza as Josefina Vega
- Rory Kinnear as Dr. Peter Craft (a character with a loose connection to the original Penny Dreadful through the actor)
- Lorenza Izzo as Santa Muerte
- Adam Rodriguez as Raul Vega
- Piper Perabo as Linda Craft
- Amy Madigan as Miss Adelaide
- Thomas Kretschmann as Richard Goss
- Dominic Sherwood as Kurt
Bold Scenes
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, like its predecessor, often features mature themes and visuals, though perhaps less overtly “erotic” than some other shows. The “bold” elements often lean into:
Gruesome Violence: The series begins with a brutal murder and depicts other acts of violence, often with graphic detail, in line with its crime drama and supernatural horror elements.
Supernatural Horror: The demonic manipulations of Magda often lead to unsettling and visually impactful sequences of chaos, death, and psychological torment.
Social and Racial Tensions: The show doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of racism, police brutality, and social unrest in 1930s Los Angeles, which can be confronting.
Intimate Relationships: While not as central as the original Penny Dreadful, there are intimate relationships and suggestive scenes, as is common in adult dramas.
The “boldness” primarily comes from its unflinching look at dark human nature and the unsettling blend of historical realism with supernatural mythology.
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Availability
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels is available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.