The Penguin is a gritty crime drama series created by Lauren LeFranc. Based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the HBO series is set in the world of Matt Reeves‘ The Batman and it follows the story of Oswald “Oz” Cobb aka Penguin a few weeks after the events of The Batman as he tries to gain power after the death of Carmine Falcone, but Carmine’s daughter Sofia Falcone is also thinking of doing the same. The Penguin stars Colin Farrell in the lead role with Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Mark Strong, Michael Kelly, Deirdre O’Connell, and Clancy Brown starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the gritty criminal world, compelling characters, and a thrilling story in The Penguin here are some similar shows you should check out next.
The Sopranos (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Sopranos is a dark crime comedy-drama series created by David Chase. The HBO series follows the story of Tony Soprano, an Italian-American mobster in New Jersey as he struggles to find a balance between his family life and the deadly criminal world, to get some sort of peace of mind he regularly attends therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The Sopranos stars James Gandolfini in the lead role with Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Drea de Matteo, Steven Van Zandt, and Edie Falco.
Gotham (Max, Tubi & Prime Video Add-On)
Gotham is a superhero crime drama series developed by Bruno Heller. Based on the DC Comics characters of the same name, the Fox series follows the story of newly recruited detective James Gordon who is assigned to investigate the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne and that’s when he meets a young Bruce Wayne. He also must fight against the bizarre villains at every turn in Gotham City. Gotham stars Ben McKenzie, Robin Taylor Lord, David Mazouz, Cameron Bicondova, Erin Richards, Cameron Monaghan, Morena Baccarin, Cory Michael Smith, Sean Pertwee, Donal Logue, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Tulsa King (Paramount+ & Prime Video Add-On)
Tulsa King is a crime comedy-drama series created by Taylor Sheridan. The Paramount+ series follows the story of Dwight “The General” Manfredi, a New York Mafia Capo as he gets out of prison after serving a 25-year sentence only to find his crime family has decided to dump him in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thinking that the crime family might not have his best interest at heart, he begins to build his own empire in Tulsa with the help of a few misfits. Tulsa King stars Sylvester Stallone in the lead role with Jay Will, Martin Starr, Max Casella, Andrea Savage, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Piazza, Garrett Hedlund, Dana Delaney, and Tatiana Zappardino starring in supporting roles.
Peaky Blinders (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Peaky Blinders is a British period crime drama series created by Steven Knight. Loosely based on an urban youth gang of the same name, the BBC series is set in the aftermath of the First World War in Birmingham, England and it follows the story of Thomas “Tommy” Shelby who leads a ruthless gang named Peaky Blinders mainly comprised of his family members, but his plans to rise to power are threatened by a relentless police officer named Chester Campbell. Peaky Blinders stars Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Annabelle Wallis, Iddo Goldberg, Sophie Rundle, Joe Cole, Ned Dennehy, Benjamin Zephaniah, and David Dawson.
Boardwalk Empire (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Boardwalk Empire is a period crime thriller drama series created by Terence Winter. Based on the 2002 non-fiction book titled Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City by author Nelson Johnson, the HBO series is set during the prohibition era in Atlantic City, New Jersey and it follows the story of the historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson aka Nucky, a political figure with ties to gangsters, politicians, and authorities, which makes him a person of interest for the federal government. Boardwalk Empire stars Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Aleksa Palladino, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, and Vincent Piazza.
Gomorrah (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Gomorrah is an Italian crime drama series created by Roberto Saviano. Based on the 2006 book of the same name by Saviano, the Sky Atlantic series follows the story of Ciro di Marzio, the right-hand man of gangster Don Pietro with ambitions of gaining power and taking control of the Savastano clan and he soon gets his chance when Don Pietro is arrested. Gomorrah stars Marco D’Amore, Salvatore Esposito, Fortunato Cerlino, Maria Pia Calzone, Marco Palvetti, Fabio De Caro, Cristina Donadio, and Cristiana Dell’Anna.
Gangs of London (Netflix, AMC+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Gangs of London is a British action crime thriller drama series created by Gareth Evan and Matt Flannery. Based on the 2006 video game of the same name developed by London Studio, the AMC+ series is set in a dynamic and multicultural London and it follows the aftermath of the assassination of one of London’s most powerful crime bosses, which leaves a power vacuum that international gangs try to fill but their only problem is that the late crime boss’ son is on a warpath to find the one who killed his father. Gangs of London stars Joe Cole, Sope Dirisu, Colm Meaney, Lucian Msamati, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Valene Kane, Paapa Essiedu, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Asif Raza Mir, Orli Shuka, Narges Rashidi, Mark Lewis Jones, Ray Panthaki, and Jing Lusi.
