“Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” is a supernatural crime drama television series that premiered on April 26, 2020, on Showtime. It is a spin-off of the original Penny Dreadful series (2014–2016), though it features a completely new cast and storyline, with minimal direct connections to the original.
Overview:
- Creator: John Logan (also the creator of the original Penny Dreadful)
- Genre: Supernatural, Historical Fiction, Drama
- Setting: Los Angeles, 1938
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 10
- Status: Cancelled after one season
Plot Summary:
Set in 1938 Los Angeles, City of Angels explores a time of deep social and political tension. The story blends the rise of Nazism, the Mexican-American folklore of Santa Muerte, and supernatural elements, especially through the central antagonist Magda, a shape-shifting demon who believes that humanity is inherently evil and seeks to prove this by manipulating key figures and events.
Main Characters:
- Tiago Vega (Daniel Zovatto): The LAPD’s first Mexican-American detective, caught between two cultures and the social issues of the time.
- Lewis Michener (Nathan Lane): A seasoned Jewish LAPD detective and Tiago’s partner.
- Magda (Natalie Dormer): A demon who takes multiple forms to sow chaos and test humanity’s moral fiber.
- Santa Muerte (Lorenza Izzo): The goddess of death in Mexican folklore and Magda’s spiritual counterpart.
- Maria Vega (Adriana Barraza): Tiago’s devout and resilient mother.
Themes:
- Racism and immigration
- Religious and cultural identity
- Fascism and political manipulation
- Supernatural vs. human nature
- Family loyalty and moral conflict
Reception:
- Critics gave the show mixed reviews. While performances (especially Natalie Dormer’s) and the production design were praised, the series was criticized for juggling too many themes and subplots.
- Cancelled in August 2020 after just one season, leaving several plot threads unresolved.
