HBO Developing Standalone Poison Ivy Series with 'The Penguin' Producer

Key points

• HBO and DC Studios are developing a new series focused on Poison Ivy, a character previously portrayed by Uma Thurman in 1997's 'Batman & Robin.'
• Lauren LeFranc, known for 'The Penguin,' is in discussions to produce the series but is not expected to write it.
• The project was previously stalled due to the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger but is now moving forward.
• The series will not be part of Matt Reeves' Batman universe, which includes 'The Batman' and its upcoming sequel.
• No cast or writer specifics have been announced, as the project is in its early stages.

Background

Poison Ivy, also known as Dr. Pamela Isley, is a long-standing antagonist in Batman comics, first introduced in 1966. She has appeared in various animated series and live-action shows like 'Gotham' and 'Batwoman,' but never as the lead of a standalone series. 'The Penguin,' which debuted in 2024, was a critical and ratings success, winning nine Emmys in 2025, and was set within Matt Reeves' Batman universe. The new Poison Ivy series is distinct from this universe, similar to the recent 'Clayface' film.

How outlets are covering it

All four outlets (The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety, and A.V. Club) confirm the development of a Poison Ivy series at HBO with Lauren LeFranc as a producer. Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize that LeFranc will only produce, not write, and that the series is not part of Matt Reeves' Batman universe. Variety notes the character's recent popularity boost from the animated series 'Harley Quinn' and recent comic book runs. A.V. Club highlights the broader trend of Warner Bros. capitalizing on Batman villain spinoffs, noting that the series' tone and focus on Ivy's character (e.g., ecoterrorist vs. femme fatale) remain unspecified.

Why it matters

The development of a standalone Poison Ivy series signals HBO and DC Studios' continued strategy to expand the Batman villain universe beyond Matt Reeves' grounded franchise. It also marks a return to development for a project previously stalled by the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger, indicating a shift in corporate priorities and a renewed focus on high-profile DC properties.

What to watch

The next steps for the Poison Ivy series will likely involve the attachment of writers and a lead actor. Given the project's early stage, further announcements on the series' tone, plot, and creative team are expected in the coming months. The success of 'The Penguin' and the upcoming 'Clayface' film may influence the development and marketing of the Poison Ivy series.