If you're a fan of The Batman and its dark, atmospheric portrayal of Gotham City, then HBO's The Penguin series should already be on your radar. Starring Colin Farrell, reprising his role as the ruthless mobster Oz Cobblepot (aka The Penguin), the show dives into Gotham's underworld, set one week after the events of the 2022 film The Batman. However, despite both stories being set in the same murky metropolis, there's a surprising twist when it comes to filming locations: while The Batman was shot across various iconic UK cities, The Penguin was brought to life right in the heart of New York City.
For movie buffs, this choice of setting plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of Gotham. As anyone who has walked the streets of New York can tell you, it's a city brimming with grit, charm, and a history that naturally lends itself to a noir-style drama. By using New York, The Penguin connects Gotham's mythical darkness with very real, urban settings, making the viewer feel more immersed in its world.
Why New York? Filming Location Insights
It may be unexpected, but choosing New York City to film The Penguin was a deliberate move that gave the series a different texture from The Batman, which shot scenes across Liverpool, Glasgow, and London to achieve its distinct Gothic tone. This time around, New York City provides the backdrop for Gotham's criminal heartbeat, using its architectural variety to reflect both the luxury and the decay of the city. Filming began in March 2023 under the working title “Boss” and wrapped up later that year, but not without a few production delays due to the 2023 Writers Strike.
Some of the most notable locations used include the grimy yet iconic Riverside Drive in West Harlem, which stood in for the Iceberg Lounge, a frequent haunt for Gotham's most dangerous criminals. Fans of the 2019 Joker movie may recognize this site as it was also used to film scenes at the Clown Agency.
Bringing Gotham's Iconic Landmarks to Life
The use of New York's cityscape didn't stop at Harlem. One of the most impressive set pieces is Gotham's Diamond District, where Oz's apartment is located. This was filmed on 27th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, blending seamlessly with digital effects to add extra height and depth to the already grand Williamsburg Bridge towers. Another standout is the Falcone mansion, located at the real La Selva estate in Long Island. La Selva's sprawling grandeur perfectly matches production designer Kalina Ivanov's vision of a Gatsby-esque mansion for the mob family.
Ivanov explained her inspiration came from New York's own criminal past. When designing some of Gotham's poorest areas, she drew from the infamous 19th-century Five Points neighborhood, a historical epicenter of poverty and crime in Manhattan. The Crown Point district, where Gotham's most downtrodden citizens live, was filmed in locations like Chinatown, the South Bronx, and Yonkers – a perfect blend of real-life locations that evoke a sense of claustrophobic, suffocating poverty.
Production Hurdles and Cast Dynamics
However, filming in one of the busiest cities in the world had its challenges. In addition to strike-related delays, picketers even interrupted production at a church in Harlem and other key locations like Westchester County. Filming had to shift to Brooklyn and Queens, using soundstages at Silvercup Studios North for interior shots.
The choice of New York adds an undeniable authenticity, especially when the story focuses on crime, power, and survival. It feels right that this city, with its rich film history and unmistakable energy, doubles as Gotham.
And while Colin Farrell is undoubtedly the star of the series, supported by actors like Cristin Milioti and Michael Zegen, the city of New York itself takes center stage alongside them. In The Penguin, Gotham isn't just a setting – it's a living, breathing character, critical to the story's success.
A Grittier Gotham Awaits
Overall, the shift in filming location from the UK to New York City for The Penguin adds a fresh dimension to Gotham's landscape. The city's real-life urban sprawl – with its mix of towering buildings, shadowy corners, and forgotten neighborhoods – perfectly complements the rise of Oz Cobblepot, offering a different yet equally dark vibe from The Batman's London and Liverpool settings. For fans eagerly awaiting more of Gotham's seedy underworld, The Penguin promises to deliver.
With episodes slated to debut in 2024, Gotham's gritty streets await.
