If you loved
Penny Dreadful
John Logan · Series · 2014
If you loved Penny Dreadful, you crave the unsettling collision of historical period settings with the encroaching darkness of the supernatural.
Books on the same thread
Erast Fandorin series
Boris Akunin · Book · 1998
Fans of Penny Dreadful will appreciate how this series mirrors the moral ambiguity and dense political intrigue found within the shadowy, high-stakes corridors of an atmospheric, historical setting.
The Angel of Darkness
Caleb Carr · Book · 1998
Like Penny Dreadful, this narrative utilizes psychological profiling to explore the darkest corners of human nature, placing intense character studies against the backdrop of a gritty, historical urban landscape.
The Big Book of Horror
Alissa Heyman · Book · 2006
This anthology captures the same classic Gothic spirit that defines Penny Dreadful, offering a collection of stories that lean into the dread and madness inherent in Victorian-era horror literature.
The Dark Hours
Michael Connelly · Book · 2021
The relentless investigation of a serial killer in a city defined by social unrest echoes the grim, procedural hunt for monsters that drives the core tension of Penny Dreadful.
Films on the same thread
Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor
Film · 2013
Viewers who loved the way Penny Dreadful interweaves iconic literary figures will find a similar sense of grand, identity-focused stakes when historical and sci-fi timelines collide in this adventure.
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2025
This film provides the definitive Gothic horror experience for Penny Dreadful fans, focusing on the same tragic themes of isolation, forbidden ambition, and the consequences of playing God with life.
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Douglas Mackinnon · Film · 2016
This special delivers the same Victorian mystery and period aesthetic seen in Penny Dreadful, utilizing a dark, atmospheric London setting to ground its tense exploration of complex, troubled characters.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Tim Burton · Film · 2007
The obsessive, revenge-driven atmosphere of this musical perfectly complements the dark, macabre tone of Penny Dreadful, showcasing the same penchant for exploring social injustice through a grotesque, theatrical lens.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
If you were drawn to the haunting supernatural mystery of Penny Dreadful, these first-hand accounts of the unexplained provide an equally immersive and atmospheric dive into the chillingly unknown.
Unexplained
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
This podcast mirrors the unsettling, uncanny narrative style of Penny Dreadful, blending historical anomalies with a haunting tone that makes reality feel as fragile and terrifying as fiction.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Penny Dreadful?
Penny Dreadful is a psychological thriller set in Victorian London. It weaves together classic horror origin stories by featuring iconic literary figures such as Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and characters from the novel Dracula as they lurk in the darkest corners of the city.
Is Penny Dreadful a horror series?
Yes, Penny Dreadful is classified as a frightening psychological thriller. The show focuses on adult drama while integrating various terrifying characters from literature into a new narrative set within the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London.
Who created the television series Penny Dreadful?
The television series Penny Dreadful was created by John Logan. First released in 2014, the show explores the origins of famous literary characters like Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray within a dark, adult-oriented dramatic framework.
Which literary characters appear in Penny Dreadful?
Penny Dreadful features several iconic figures from literature. The narrative centers on the presence of Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and various characters from the novel Dracula, all of whom are reimagined as they navigate the shadows of Victorian London.