HBO really took a gamble with Oz Cobb. Honestly, when they first announced a spinoff focused entirely on a guy in a fat suit who waddles around Gotham, people were skeptical. But here we are. It’s early 2026, and the dust has finally settled on one of the most brutal, grounded crime sagas we’ve seen in years. If you’re just getting around to your binge-watch or you’re trying to plan your weekend, you’ve probably got one burning question: how many episodes in Penguin Season 1?
Eight. That’s the magic number.
The series isn't a long, drawn-out 22-episode network procedural. It’s a lean, mean, eight-episode limited series that picks up exactly one week after the seawalls broke in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
👉 See also: Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh: The Real Story Behind the Public Domain Chaos
Why eight episodes was the perfect call
A lot of shows try to stretch a thin plot over ten or thirteen hours. You get those "filler" episodes where characters just sit around talking about their feelings in a hallway. The Penguin doesn't do that. Because there are only eight episodes, every single minute feels like it’s screaming toward an inevitable, violent conclusion.
Showrunner Lauren LeFranc basically treated this like an eight-hour movie. You’ve got Colin Farrell—completely unrecognizable under layers of Mike Marino’s legendary prosthetics—navigating a power vacuum left by the death of Carmine Falcone. If the show had been twelve episodes, the tension might have leaked out. At eight? It’s a pressure cooker.
Breaking down the season: How many episodes in Penguin Season 1 and what they cover
When you look at the structure of the season, it’s clearly divided into three acts. You’ve got the opening gambit, the rising drug war involving "Bliss," and the final, soul-crushing descent into villainy.
- Episode 1: After Hours – This is where it all starts with a literal bang. Oz makes a massive mistake, kills someone he shouldn't have, and meets Victor Aguilar.
- Episode 2: Inside Man – Oz plays both sides. He’s trying to keep the Falcones and the Maronis from killing him while making them kill each other.
- Episode 3: Bliss – We get introduced to the new drug hitting the streets. This is where the alliance between Oz and Sofia Falcone (played by the incredible Cristin Milioti) starts to get really weird.
- Episode 4: Cent'anni – Easily the best episode of the season. It’s a flashback-heavy deep dive into Sofia’s time in Arkham. It changes everything you think you know about her.
- Episode 5: Homecoming – The fallout from Sofia’s "family dinner" (no spoilers, but wow). Oz has to scramble to keep his operation alive.
- Episode 6: Gold Summit – Oz tries to unite the smaller gangs of Gotham. He’s basically trying to become the king of the underground.
- Episode 7: Top Hat – We finally see the origin of Oz’s trauma. It’s dark. Like, really dark.
- Episode 8: A Great or Little Thing – The finale. It’s a brutal ending that perfectly bridges the gap to The Batman Part II.
The runtime factor
Don't let the "eight episodes" count fool you into thinking this is a quick watch. These aren't thirty-minute sitcom chunks. Most episodes clock in between 55 and 68 minutes.
It’s a massive commitment of time because the emotional weight is so heavy. You can’t really "breeze" through it. By the time you hit the finale, you’ll probably need a drink and a lighthearted cartoon to cleanse the palate. The show is obsessed with the "gritty" side of Gotham, and it doesn't pull its punches.
Where the episode count leaves the story
The question of how many episodes in Penguin Season 1 usually leads to another question: Is there a Season 2?
As of right now, HBO and Matt Reeves have been pretty firm that this was a "limited series." It was designed specifically to explain how Oz Cobb goes from a mid-level mobster to the kingpin we’ll see in the next movie.
- The Bridge: The final episode ends just as the Bat-Signal lights up the sky again.
- The Evolution: We see the "Penguin" persona fully formed—tuxedo, top hat, and a complete lack of a soul.
- The Future: While there's talk of other Gotham City "profiles" (maybe a Joker or Scarecrow series?), Oz’s specific story is meant to continue on the big screen.
Practical insights for your watch
If you're starting the show today, here is the best way to handle it. Don't binge it all in one night. The middle section, specifically episodes 4 and 5, are so intense that they deserve their own night to breathe.
Also, pay attention to the background details in the first two episodes. Lauren LeFranc tucked a lot of "Easter eggs" into the news broadcasts and the graffiti on the walls that pay off in the final two hours.
The production value is insane. They filmed on location in New York, and it shows. The grime feels real. The dampness of the flooded Crown Point neighborhood feels like it’s coming through the screen.
Actionable Next Steps
If you've finished the season or are just getting started, here’s how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch (or Re-watch) The Batman: Specifically the scenes at the Iceberg Lounge. It’s wild to see how much more menacing Oz becomes after you know his backstory from the show.
- Listen to the Official Podcast: HBO released a companion podcast that breaks down the prosthetic work and the acting choices for each of the eight episodes.
- Check the Timeline: Remember, this show takes place in the weeks following the movie. If you’re confused about why Gotham looks like a disaster zone, it’s because The Riddler just blew the seawalls.
By the end of these eight episodes, you won't be asking for more—not because it wasn't good, but because the story feels so complete. Oz Cobb isn't just a guy in a suit anymore. He’s a monster. And now, we just have to wait for the Batman to deal with him.