Ep572 - Lauren LeFranc, Writer & Producer ‘The Penguin,’ ‘Chuck,’ & ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’

Creative Principles

Lauren LeFranc is the showrunner of Max’s highly-anticipated limited series THE PENGUIN. With LeFranc’s assured creative voice as its throughline, the show is a radical departure from what we’ve come to expect from comic book stories, embracing a daytime noir tone and aesthetic akin to crime dramas like THE SOPRANOS. Prior to THE PENGUIN, LeFranc most notably ran YouTube Premium’s IMPULSE. As a television veteran, her body of work also includes credits on AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., HEMLOCK GROVE, and CHUCK. In her latest work, THE PENGUIN, the series follows Oswald “Oz” Cobb’s quest for control in Gotham City. With the city in peril following the seawall’s collapse, Oz seeks to fill the power vacuum left by the death of Carmine Falcone and finally give his mother Francis the life he’s always promised. But first, Oz must confront his enemies, including Carmine’s children, Sofia Falcone and Alberto Falcone; the Maroni family, led by their imprisoned patriarch, Salvatore Maroni; and Oz’s own demoralizing reputation as “The Penguin.” In this interview, we talk about how she got attached to THE PENGUIN, working with Colin Farrell and Matt Reeves, the portrayal of Oz as a complex and empathetic villain, the research and development involved in the show, and much more. Want more? Steal my first book, INK BY THE BARREL - SECRETS FROM PROLIFIC WRITERS right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we’re giving away 100,000 copies this year. It’s based on over 400 interviews here at Creative Principles. Enjoy! If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60 seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom of your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!