Pennyworth cancelled at HBO Max after three seasons as DC Universe set for reboot

Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler launched on HBO Max in October

HBO Max has cancelled Batman prequel drama series Pennyworth after three seasons.

The first two seasons of the show aired on MGM-owned cablenet MGM+ (fka Epix) before moving to HBO Max for a 10-part third run.

The series follows the early life of Alfred Pennyworth, who would go on to become butler to Batman’s family. In the show, Alfred is a former SAS soldier who forms a security company in 1960s London and goes to work with young billionaire Thomas Wayne.

The third season, titled Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, debuted in October on HBO Max.

Word of the cancellation comes after DC Studios’ heads James Gunn and Peter Safran revealed a slate of 10 projects that will serve as the starting point for the rebooted DC Universe. The Pennyworth story was not included in that announcement, made earlier this week.

“While HBO Max is not moving forward with another season of Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler, we are very thankful to creator Bruno Heller and executive producers Matthew Patnick, Danny Cannon and John Stephens, along with Warner Bros Television, for their brilliant, unique, gripping depiction of the origin of Alfred Pennyworth, one of the most iconic characters in the Batman world,” said an HBO Max representative.

“An incredible blend of action, drama and humor, for three seasons, Pennyworth: The Origin of Batman’s Butler has taken fans on a mind-bending ride into Alfred’s eccentric world and the beginnings of cutting-edge superheroes and super villains.”