When Colin Farrell first slipped into the role of Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, aka The Penguin, in The Batman (2022), few could have predicted the massive response it would generate. Farrell’s portrayal of the disfigured mobster was a standout moment in the film, and it became clear that his character had potential for a spinoff. Enter The Penguin, the new HBO crime drama that picks up where The Batman left off, diving deep into the rise of Cobblepot in the gritty underworld of Gotham City.
However, as soon as The Penguin premiered, critics and fans alike began drawing comparisons to another iconic crime drama—The Sopranos. From the show’s tone and cinematography to Farrell’s character and certain thematic similarities, it didn’t take long for the comparisons to pile up. But if you think Colin Farrell is fazed by the comparisons or critics’ remarks, think again. The actor is unfazed and has a bold take on the matter, especially when it comes to defining the show’s success.
In this article, we’ll dive into the comparisons between The Penguin and The Sopranos, Colin Farrell’s reaction to the criticism, and how The Penguin is carving its own path in the world of crime dramas.
The Comparison Game: The Penguin vs. The Sopranos
A New Crime Drama or A Sopranos Rip-Off?
When The Penguin was announced as a spinoff from The Batman (2022), expectations were high. The show would delve into the origins of one of Gotham’s most iconic villains, exploring how Cobblepot rises through the ranks of Gotham’s criminal underworld. However, once the series premiered on HBO Max, it didn’t take long for people to start drawing comparisons to the legendary HBO drama The Sopranos.
The Sopranos, of course, is a cultural juggernaut—a show that redefined the gangster genre and television storytelling as a whole. The series, which aired from 1999 to 2007, followed Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss struggling to balance his criminal empire with his personal life. It was a masterclass in character development, psychological complexity, and exploration of power dynamics. Given its immense success, it’s no surprise that anything remotely resembling The Sopranos would invite a comparison.
With The Penguin, the similarities are hard to ignore. The show features a morally ambiguous protagonist (Cobblepot, played by Farrell), navigating the violent world of organized crime. The tone is dark and gritty, much like The Sopranos, and the show often explores themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal. Moreover, The Penguin features a mix of sharp, biting humor and intense drama—a dynamic that was also a hallmark of The Sopranos.
Still, critics argue that The Penguin feels like a Sopranos knockoff, perhaps leaning too heavily on similar tropes and characters. From the use of sharp, street-level crime drama to the focus on a character struggling for power, some feel like The Penguin is merely treading familiar ground.
But Colin Farrell isn’t bothered by these comparisons.
Colin Farrell’s Response to the Critics
Farrell has made it clear that he’s not going to let the constant comparisons to The Sopranos get under his skin. In fact, he brushes off the critics with his trademark wit and confidence. According to the actor, the “bar for success” is incredibly low. In an interview, Farrell stated that he doesn’t really pay attention to the critics or how the show is being compared to The Sopranos.
“The bar for success is not very high,” Farrell remarked. “The only thing I care about is whether the audience likes the work or not. And if they don’t, so be it. But the thing is, people enjoy the show. They’re responding to it, and that’s enough for me.”
This unbothered attitude is part of what makes Farrell so magnetic as an actor. He’s clearly not trying to recreate The Sopranos or replicate Tony Soprano’s iconic legacy. Rather, Farrell is carving out his own version of Oswald Cobblepot—one that fits into the larger Batman universe but stands on its own in terms of tone and character development.
“I’m just playing a part,” Farrell adds. “The comparisons don’t bother me. I’m focused on telling a story and letting the audience come to their own conclusions about whether it works or not.”
The Penguin’s Unique Identity
Farrell’s Performance: A Different Kind of Mobster
One of the key aspects that sets The Penguin apart from The Sopranos is Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the titular character. While Tony Soprano was a complex antihero—a man caught between his brutal mob life and his desire for a normal family existence—Cobblepot is a different kind of character entirely.
In The Penguin, we see Oswald Cobblepot not yet the fully formed villain we know from the comics and The Batman film. Instead, we’re introduced to a younger, more vulnerable Cobblepot trying to rise to power in a chaotic and dangerous world. He’s a more self-aware character, someone who recognizes his own shortcomings and works relentlessly to overcome them.
Farrell’s portrayal is nuanced and multi-dimensional. Unlike the all-powerful Tony Soprano, Cobblepot is far from invincible. He has moments of desperation and vulnerability, and Farrell plays these moments with subtlety and depth. His Cobblepot is a mix of ambition, fear, and cunning—a character who’s still in the process of becoming the villainous Penguin we know.
This performance has earned rave reviews for Farrell, who’s been praised for making the character his own, rather than simply mimicking previous mob archetypes. The Penguin’s success, therefore, is not just built on comparisons to The Sopranos but on Farrell’s ability to breathe new life into a well-known character.
The Tone and Storytelling: Gritty Yet Entertaining
Another area where The Penguin differentiates itself is in its tone and style. While The Sopranos is often dark and psychologically complex, The Penguin doesn’t shy away from a more traditional crime drama approach, blending humor, suspense, and violence. The show balances gritty action with moments of levity and sharp dialogue, allowing for a mix of serious drama and comic book-inspired thrills.
While both shows delve into the underworld of organized crime, The Penguin also incorporates elements of the superhero genre, which naturally sets it apart. Gotham’s criminal landscape is colorful and absurd at times, which contrasts with the more grounded, familial struggles in The Sopranos.
The storytelling in The Penguin is more fast-paced and action-driven, whereas The Sopranos took its time exploring the psychological depths of its characters. This is not to say that The Penguin lacks depth—it just takes a slightly different approach, with more focus on the rise of a criminal empire and the betrayals that come with it.
Conclusion: Farrell’s Bold Vision for The Penguin
Colin Farrell’s unbothered response to the comparisons between The Penguin and The Sopranos reflects his confidence in the show’s unique identity. While the similarities are evident—both feature mobsters battling for power in a dark, morally ambiguous world—The Penguin is very much its own beast.
Farrell’s portrayal of Cobblepot is both fresh and captivating, offering a new take on a familiar character. The tone, the style, and the direction of the show all work together to carve out a space that isn’t just another Sopranos clone but a worthy addition to the crime drama genre.
Whether or not The Penguin lives up to The Sopranos in the eyes of critics, Farrell seems to be right in his assertion that the real measure of success is how the audience responds. And by that standard, The Penguin has already succeeded.
