Both Showtime CEO David Nevins and John Logan, creator of the British-American horror drama TV series “Penny Dreadful,” have previously confirmed that the show is done and over with after its Season 3 finale aired in June.
The confirmation also debunked speculations of a possible fourth season of the TV series, because there will be no such thing happening anytime soon on Showtime and in another network or streaming service.
However, there are now rumors going around that a spin-off TV series of “Penny Dreadful” may soon be in the works and it would feature Josh Harnett’s character, Ethan Chandler.
Every fan of “Penny Dreadful” knows that next to Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green, the other main protagonists of the TV series are Ethan Chandler and Sir Malcolm Murray, played by Timothy Dalton.
Since Vanessa Ives already died during the Season 3 finale of “Penny Dreadful,” a fourth season of the TV series has become impossible since she is literally the heart and soul of the show and the storyline revolve around her.
In fact, John Logan explained that “Penny Dreadful” had to end after Season 3 with the death of Vanessa Ives because the show has always been about her and her battle with the devil who was trying to take her soul from her.
Based on latest speculations, there are plans to continue “Penny Dreadful” through a spin-off TV series that will follow the story of Ethan Chandler who cannot seem to move on from Vanessa’s death, reports News Everyday.
However, it should be noted that unless a confirmation or denial is officially made by David Nevins, John Logan or Josh Hartnett himself, the information is mere speculation at this point and is best taken with a pinch of salt.
Will Netflix rescue the show from cancellation?
There are also rumors saying that Netflix might rescue “Penny Dreadful” from cancellation and air its Season 4 next year.
Those who know the real score find the rumors ridiculous since it would be foolish for Netflix to pick up a show that has already ended.
That’s in addition to the fact that without John Logan in it, there is no possible way that a continuation or a spin-off TV series to “Penny Dreadful” would happen anytime soon, notes Game & Guide.
Critics believe that John Logan is the only person who created “Penny Dreadful” so he is also the same person who can put an end to it, give it an extended life if he so wishes, or even develop a spin-off story out of it.
Giving the chore to somebody else would certainly make “Penny Dreadful” a tad less exciting than what it has become when it was still airing on Showtime.
‘The End’ says it all
Nevins and Logan had already made it clear that the show officially ended in after its Season 3 finale in June and it cannot be more stated with the words ‘The End’ before the closing credits.
Logan even went on to explain that “Penny Dreadful” was about how Vanessa Ives lost her faith during the first two and a half seasons before finding it back at the end of the third season.
She also sacrificed herself in order for the devil not to consume her soul, which is why the ending was made that way, Logan pointed out.
However, fans and critics do not believe Logan in saying that “Penny Dreadful” was only good for three seasons. They think that the show’s poor ratings had something to do with its rather abrupt ending that it looked very rushed.
But neither Logan nor Nevins confirmed such assumption, with Nevins even saying that he encouraged Logan to keep the show running for a couple more seasons but Logan insisted that the story of “Penny Dreadful” is just good for three seasons.
However, both cannot explain the fact that the final two episodes of Season 3 of “Penny Dreadful” were aired back-to-back on the same night as if the network really wanted to get rid of the show fast.