The protagonist of the new series of DC universe "Pennyworth" - butler, loyal assistant and friend of the famous Batman Alfred Pennyworth. True, he now appears before us in the form of an elegant young man: the spin-off sends the viewer from the gloomy Gotham to England in the sixties, where young Alfred is trying to conduct a security business in the post-war instability.
The role of Pennyworth in the series was played by Jack Bannon, and the executive producers of the project were Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon who worked on Gotham. The creators of the series "Sharp Visors", "Black Sails", "Krypton" and "Downton Abbey" were invited to the director's chair.
Although Pennyworth somehow appears in almost every Batman project since 1943 (he debuted in the Batman comic # 16), only now DC fans have the opportunity to learn the details of the life of the butler before meeting with Bruce Wayne. Up to this point, Alfred's past was shrouded in mystery - in fact, the producers relied only on the hero's English origin and the mention of his service in intelligence.
During his 76-year history as a butler, Pennyworth fell in love with Batman fans. Several times he was nominated for various American awards as the best assistant to the protagonist or the best secondary character.
The significance of Alfred in the universe of Batman once again prove numerous screen versions of the comic. Tiny at first glance, the role of the butler at different times was considered attractive by very famous actors. In the film version of the director Christopher Nolan (“Batman Beginning”, “The Dark Knight”, “The Dark Knight: Reviving the Legend”) Pennyworth plays two Oscars and three Golden Globes Sir Michael Kane (“The Child of Man”, “Prestige” ). Zach Snyder in the films “Batman vs. Superman: At the Dawn of Justice” and “The League of Justice” plays the role of Alfred Briton Jeremy Irons (“Borgia”, “Lolita”).
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In the series Gotham, which tells about Police Commissioner James Gordon (one of the Dark Knight's comrades-in-arms), Pennyworth, performed by famous British actor Shaun Pertui, becomes more voluminous and acquires more fighting qualities. Taking into account that it was the authors of Gotham who began to tell Alfred's background story, the leading actor in creating the image of the hero most likely had to focus on the Perthian experience.
However, one should not assume that Pennyworth ideally or stylistically repeats an absolutely successful Gotham. If the story of James Gordon goes to the darkness of Nolanov, the world of the butler is more likely to a carnival atmosphere set by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher. The viewer is shown “gingerbread” London, as we loved him in “Sherlock Holmes” by Guy Ritchie (with the exception of being adjusted for the era). A spy line detective spins more in the style of "Kingsman" (a series of films directed by Matthew Vaughn about a fictional British secret organization), rather than "Batman: The Beginning" by Nolan.
In the pilot of the series you can already see the Nazis, the Queen of England, Thomas Wayne (the father of Batman) and the mysterious double-bottom villain who, apparently, will become the main antagonist of the young Alfred.
The intrigue of the first series is centered around the kidnapping of Pennworth's sweetheart. In exchange for the girl's life, the kidnappers demand that Thomas Wayne be brought to him, with whom the future butler accidentally meets at a nightclub.
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Without unexpected plot twists for good, but not too witty jokes, the main concept of the series is indicated: Alfred is young, hot and ready to serve the crown with abandon. It must be admitted that Bannon's pretty appearance does not prevent the viewer from believing that this big-eyed young man is capable of dealing with the enemies of Her Majesty no worse than James Bond. Young Pennyworth is naive, but he is ready for great things - this actor is showing on the screen with such enthusiasm that it’s impossible not to feel sympathy for his hero. But the fact that the former commando will become the guardian and butler of Batman, while it is believed with great difficulty.
Alfred's beloved - Beth Sykes performed by actress Paloma Faith (“Classmates”, “Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”) also quite organically fits into the spirit of the time and the style of the series, although it embodies the ideals of the XXI century rather than the conservative England of the 60s. The girl intends to become an actress (that is, a representative of the profession denied in those days) and tries not to pay attention to gossip from others. Opponent of Pennyworth in the first series - Lord Harwood performed by the famous British actor Jason Fleming (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “Cards, Money, Two Barrels”, “Big Jackpot”) plays a typical comic villain with a strange, but easily explained motivation.
Unfortunately, the motives and deeds of the characters lie so close to the surface, and the plot is sometimes so secondary that from time to time the creators of the series want to be reproached for negligence. However, "Pennyworth" and did not try to declare as a drama in the spirit of Nolan or Snyder.
The viewer is offered a good picture with beautiful actors and a detective line - and for this it is worth watching the season (maybe even one). At the same time, it will be time to understand whether the project has become such a significant isolation from the classic DC universe.