HBO Develops Poison Ivy Series With Penguin Showrunner Lefranc
WHO:
Variety - Lauren LeFranc, showrunner of “The Penguin,” is attached as a producer to the Poison Ivy TV series.
Collider - Lauren LeFranc, creator of “The Penguin,” is set to executive produce the Poison Ivy spin-off.
Screen Rant - The “The Penguin” showrunner is attached to DC’s planned Batman-villain series.
Deadline - Lauren LeFranc, showrunner and executive producer of “The Penguin,” is in talks to join the Poison Ivy-focused series as a producer.
Variety - Colin Farrell originated his villain character in Matt Reeves’ Batman movie.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The series is in its early stages, and no cast or writer details are available.
The Hollywood Reporter - The series is reportedly outside the universe of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Poison Ivy is the alter ego of Dr. Pamela Isley, a botanist with supernatural plant-control powers who becomes an ecoterrorist in Gotham.
The Hollywood Reporter - Poison Ivy has not headlined a television series; she has appeared in animated series including “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” and “Harley Quinn,” and live-action series “Gotham” and “Batwoman.”
The Hollywood Reporter - “The Penguin” won nine Emmys.
The Hollywood Reporter - HBO has not renewed “The Penguin” for a second season.
Variety - HBO is developing a Poison Ivy TV show, Variety confirmed.
Collider - A Poison Ivy spin-off series is in the works at DC and HBO.
Screen Rant - DC Studios is developing another major live-action Batman TV show focused on one of Batman’s most famous villains.
Deadline - Warner Bros. and DC Comics are developing a new Poison Ivy-focused TV series.
Variety - “The Penguin” was the first live-action spin-off from a Batman movie.
WHERE:
Variety - The Poison Ivy TV show is in development at HBO.
Collider - The spin-off is in development at DC and HBO.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - “The Batman Part II” is slated to premiere on Feb. 18, 2028.
WHY:
Deadline - Plans to move forward with the project had been on pause due to Paramount and Warner.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Poison Ivy was introduced in comics in 1966 and was portrayed by Uma Thurman in the 1997 live-action film “Batman & Robin.”
Variety - LeFranc’s connection to the project is as a producer.
Collider - LeFranc is set to serve as executive producer.
Deadline - LeFranc’s potential role as producer is still under discussion.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 11:08 UTC)
HBO is developing a television series focused on Poison Ivy, the Batman villain, with “The Penguin” showrunner Lauren LeFranc attached as a producer. Her role is still under discussion, and the project remains in its early stages, with no cast or writer details announced. The series is reportedly separate from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” universe. Poison Ivy is Dr. Pamela Isley, a botanist with supernatural powers to control plants who becomes an ecoterrorist in Gotham. She has appeared in animated and live-action shows but has never headlined her own television series. LeFranc’s “The Penguin” won nine Emmys; HBO has not renewed it for a second season. Plans for the Poison Ivy project had been paused amid Paramount and Warner discussions. Poison Ivy first appeared in comics in 1966 and was played by Uma Thurman in “Batman & Robin.”
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 20:18 UTC)
HBO and DC are developing a live-action television series centered on Batman villain Poison Ivy. Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner of “The Penguin,” is attached to the project as a producer, with her possible role still under discussion. She is also expected to executive produce the spin-off. The series is being developed by Warner Bros. and DC, and plans to move forward had been paused amid developments involving Paramount and Warner. LeFranc’s work on “The Penguin” connects the new project to an earlier Batman spin-off: it was the first live-action series spun off from a Batman movie. That series featured Colin Farrell, who originated his villain character in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” The Poison Ivy show adds another live-action Batman-related series to DC’s television development slate, though details about its story and casting have not been announced.