Epix Orders Series Based on Batman Butler Alfred

Epix has given a ten-episode series order to a new Batman prequel series from Gotham showrunner Bruno Heller centered on Alfred Pennyworth. Epix President Michael Wright announced on Wednesday that the series, Pennyworth, will revolve around Bruce Wayne’s ally and butler. The series will not be related to Gotham and will instead look at Alfred’s origins as a former British SAS soldier who forms a secret company and goes to work with Thomas Wayne — Bruce’s billionaire father — in 1960s London. Sean Pertwee, who plays Alfred on Gotham, is not involved and casting has not yet begun.

Heller will write the script and executive produce the series, with Gotham’s Danny Cannon, executive producing and directing the pilot.

“As genuine fans of these classic DC characters, as well as the incredibly talented Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, we couldn’t be more excited to make Epix the home of this series,” Wright said. “We can’t wait to work with Bruno and Danny — along with Peter Roth, Susan Rovner, Brett Paul and the team at Warner Horizon — on this fantastic origin story.”

“Michael and his colleagues have created the perfect venue for original storytelling, and all of us working on Pennyworth are thrilled to be on the Epix slate,” Heller and Cannon said in a joint statement.