HBO is developing a new television drama centered on classic DC Comics villain Poison Ivy, with “The Penguin” showrunner Lauren LeFranc attached to produce, according to multiple industry reports.
LeFranc, who served as creator and showrunner for HBO’s acclaimed crime drama “The Penguin,” is in talks to produce the upcoming adaptation under her two-year overall pact with the network, TheWrap reported. According to reporting from Deadline and Variety, LeFranc is expected to serve strictly as an executive producer and will not write the project.
Independent of Matt Reeves’ Gotham
The proposed series remains in its earliest development stages, with no screenwriters or cast members currently attached. The project will also stand completely apart from director Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” continuity, which stars Robert Pattinson and continues with a film sequel scheduled for 2028, Variety reported.
First introduced in comic panels in 1966, Poison Ivy is the alter ego of botanist Dr. Pamela Isley. Known for her environmental motivations, lethal botanical toxins and mind-controlling pheromones, the character frequently blurs the boundaries between villain and antihero.
While Poison Ivy has anchored comic books for decades, she has never previously served as the primary subject of a solo live-action series or feature film. Uma Thurman famously portrayed the green-clad antagonist in the 1997 film “Batman & Robin.” On television, Peyton List portrayed the character on Fox’s “Gotham,” Bridget Regan took on the role in The CW’s “Batwoman,” and Lake Bell voiced her across several seasons of the animated “Harley Quinn” series.
Building Out DC’s Television Slate
LeFranc garnered widespread recognition for steering “The Penguin,” an eight-episode limited series following Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobb after the events of Reeves’ 2022 film. That production collected nine Emmy Awards, including acting trophies for Farrell and co-star Cristin Milioti. Before leading that series, LeFranc created the sci-fi streaming series “Impulse” and worked as a writer and producer on network shows such as “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Chuck” and “Hemlock Grove.”
The news surfaced as DC Studios continues to assemble an expansive television roster across Warner Bros. platforms. Recent small-screen efforts include the Green Lantern series “Lanterns,” alongside a comedic villain spinoff titled “The People vs. Gorilla Grodd,” scheduled to air in 2027.
The decision to build out Batman’s rogue gallery through standalone series drew quick debate among fans online, according to ComingSoon.net. Some comic book enthusiasts questioned why peripheral figures are receiving individual spotlights before DC Studios reveals its upcoming rebooted Batman in the planned feature film “The Brave and the Bold.” Others argued that establishing key threats beforehand offers a compelling foundation for future Gotham storylines.
Because the project currently has no script, HBO has not established a production schedule or projected release date.
