Epix's Pennyworth gets its young, hunky, apparently lethal Alfred
The Batman franchise loves its backstories. But, as the films swept us time and again through the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne, or the origin stories of villains like Scarecrow and Bane, there remained the simple, reliable presence of Alfred Pennyworth, a nice, crafty Brit who, by virtue of having just gone to butler school or some such thing, comforted viewers by being so refreshingly uncomplicated.
But, as we previously reported, that’s all about to change with Pennyworth, a new prequel series to air on Epix. Today, the show, which comes from Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller, among others, revealed the young actor who will grow up to be either Michael Gough, Michael Caine, or Jeremy Irons. It’s Jack Bannon, who previously appeared in the Oscar-nominated The Imitation Game and several British TV series, including Endeavor and The Loch.
According to a press release, the series will center around young Alfred’s relationship with the elder Wayne, with whom he forms a security company in 1960s London. Alfred’s also, apparently, grappling with his bloody background in the SAS, with the press release noting that he “doesn’t know how to reconcile the kind-hearted boy he used to be with the cold, calculated killer he was forced to become.” Jesus.
Pennyworth’s first season will be comprised of 10, one-hour episodes, and is set to begin filming in the U.K. next week.