Now that Epix’s Pennyworth is set to shoot next year, we at That Hashtag Show are able to provide an inside look at what this version of Alfred (played by Jack Bannon) will be like. He’s not the only character to dissect, though, as there are six other series regulars who will be inhabiting London in the 1960s alongside the British SAS soldier turned security company founder. It’ll be interesting to see how easy or difficult it is to reconcile the Alfred from Gotham, also created by Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, with a younger version of the character in another universe. Not to mention to see what path will take Alfred from running his own business with a friend to becoming that friend’s butler. If you’d like more information on the premise of the show, you can read our previous exclusive, but now let’s dive into the protagonists and their lives.
The badass butler himself, Alfred Pennyworth, is a London Brit in his mid-20s. He’s described as handsome, witty and charming but also ambitious and honest. Despite all of these qualities, he has a tough side to him given that he’s a hardened soldier, and it’s something that weighs on him. Having grown from an innocent boy into a trained killer makes it difficult for him to feel completely human, and it doesn’t help that he’s torn between his father’s lifetime of dignified servitude and the temptations of making it on his own in the business world.
Still seeking Martha Kane.
Thankfully he’s got a loyal friend in Thomas Wayne, who is being portrayed by Ben Aldridge. A wealthy East Coast businessman, Thomas is a righteous and meticulous to a fault but he always does what he believes is best. Basically, he’s an All-American hero even if he might mete out his justice a little too harshly at times. Sounds familiar, no?
Speaking of Bruce, his mother Martha Kane does not seem to have been cast quite yet – probably because she isn’t appearing in the pilot. She is also from the East Coast, and is a brave and fierce young woman in her mid-twenties who believes actions matter more than words. Unlike her more conservative future husband, Martha can get a bit reckless when trying to help others, which might land her in trouble but also makes her the kind of ally the oppressed really need.
Perhaps one of her opponents will be Lord Hardwood, played by Jason Flemyng, who is described as a middle-aged and wealthy Englishman with a lot more confidence than sanity. Though he hides his flaws behind a charming facade, underneath it all he is vicious and even sadistic.
Hainsley Lloyd Bennett plays good friend Bazza.
Marcus Barrington, or “Bazza” as he’s known to his friends, is a bit of a casanova from Barbados. He was a soldier at the same time as Alfred, and they’ve become friends for life. With his logistics proficiency and Thomas’ engineering knowledge, Alfred’s private security business can’t go wrong. Hainsley Lloyd Bennett, who was most recently seen in King of Crime, will be playing the role while Ryan Fletcher plays another close friend named Wallace McDuff. Wallace is a Scotsman who goes by “Dave Boy” and is somewhat of a drunkard, though he’s still a force to be reckoned with.
Alfred may need his friends around when he meets Bet Sykes, portrayed by Paloma Faith, who is a tough-as-nails villain with a magnetic charm. It’s unclear how she’ll come up against Alfred and the others in Pennyworth, but sparks are sure to fly when she does.
Finally, while not a series regular, there is also a casting call out for a recurring female cast member named Esmé. She is a club danger around Alfred’s age, with disapproving parents and a Bohemian spirit. Like her potential love interest, she’s ready to make her own way in the world regardless of what her household and her background tell her to do. Whether there’s heartbreak or happiness in store for her and our future butler-to-be remains to be seen, so let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best.
What do you think of the characters set to appear in Pennyworth? Let us know your feelings on the cast so far, as well as who you’d like to see pop up!
