What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPenny Dreadful
John Logan · Series · 2014
If you loved Penny Dreadful, start with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh, 1994) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Penny Dreadful across media.
You loved Penny Dreadful because it masterfully weaves classic literary monsters into a dark, psychological exploration of human moral ambiguity.
Books on the same thread
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley · Book · 1818
Explores: Creation and Responsibility, The Sublime, Isolation.
Since Penny Dreadful draws heavily from the origins of Victor Frankenstein, reading the original novel provides the essential foundation for the themes of isolation and ambition you enjoyed.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories
Robert Louis Stevenson · Book · 2024
Shares a thread with Penny Dreadful: Identity.
If the Victorian atmosphere of Penny Dreadful captivated you, this exploration of duality and moral corruption offers the same dark, psychological intensity found in London's hidden corners.
FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. by Mary Wollstonecraft (Godwin) Shelley
Mary Shelley · Book · 2021
Explores: hubris of the creator, the ethics of artificial life, alienation and abandonment.
This edition allows you to revisit the foundational text that inspired the character arcs in Penny Dreadful, focusing on the ethical consequences of playing God and scientific hubris.
Dracula
Bram Stoker · Book · 2024
Explores: Good vs Evil, Foreign Invasion, Supernatural Threat.
Penny Dreadful brought iconic Victorian figures to life, and this classic novel is the definitive source for the supernatural dread and gothic mystery that defined those early episodes.
Films on the same thread
Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2025
Explores: Man playing God, The dangers of ambition, Creation and responsibility.
This film adaptation mirrors the visceral monster-driven storytelling of Penny Dreadful, emphasizing the tragic relationship between an obsessed creator and his rejected, isolated creation in a gothic setting.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 1994
Explores: Playing God, The Dangers of Science, Creation and Abandonment.
The romanticized, gothic tone of this film aligns perfectly with the aesthetic of Penny Dreadful, highlighting the same themes of revenge and the dangerous pursuit of forbidden knowledge.
Se7en
David Fincher · Film · 1995
Explores: Moral Decay, Urban Decay, Good vs Evil.
While modern in setting, the focus on moral decay and obsession in this film reflects the darker, grittier psychological thriller elements that made Penny Dreadful so compelling to watch.
It
Andy Muschietti · Film · 2017
Shares a thread with Penny Dreadful: Supernatural Horror.
Much like the monster-filled world of Penny Dreadful, this story uses supernatural horror to externalize deep-seated childhood trauma and the manifestation of fear within a tight-knit group.
Podcasts on the same thread
Lore
Aaron Mahnke · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Dark History, Supernatural, Mysterious Events.
The historical focus of this podcast echoes the dark, scholarly curiosity found in Penny Dreadful, inviting you to explore the tragic narratives and supernatural events that populate history.
The Magnus Archives
Podcast
Explores: Esoteric Research, The Weird, Paranormal Investigation.
This podcast mirrors the investigative, atmospheric dread of Penny Dreadful, utilizing an archival framework to uncover the esoteric and weird phenomena that lurk beneath the surface of reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Penny Dreadful a psychological thriller?
Yes, Penny Dreadful is classified as a frightening psychological thriller. Created by John Logan in 2014, the series explores dark themes by weaving together the origin stories of iconic literary characters within the setting of Victorian London.
What kind of characters appear in Penny Dreadful?
Penny Dreadful features some of literature's most terrifying figures. The show brings together characters such as Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic individuals from the novel Dracula, placing them in the darkest corners of Victorian London to create a new adult drama.
When was Penny Dreadful released?
Penny Dreadful was released in 2014. Created by John Logan, this television series serves as a psychological thriller that reimagines classic horror origin stories by placing famous literary characters into the atmospheric backdrop of Victorian London.
Is Penny Dreadful considered an adult drama?
Yes, Penny Dreadful is structured as a new adult drama. The series integrates classic horror elements and well-known literary figures into a psychological thriller format, focusing on the dark lives of characters like Dorian Gray and Dr. Frankenstein in Victorian London.