This isn’t the Gotham you remember.

The notorious city of Batman has always been depicted in comics, films, and shows as a corrupt, crime-ridden place with towering skyscrapers. With crooked cops, corrupt politicians, and criminals who are relentless, this is the city where Heath Ledger’s Joker from “The Dark Knight” wanted to unleash destruction.

However, the Gotham in HBO’s new series “The Penguin” (premiering Thursday at 9 PM EDT/PDT and moving to Sundays from Sept. 29, ★★★ out of four) is even bleaker. While it retains its usual dose of crime, violence, and perpetual overcast skies, this version of Gotham feels devoid of hope. Perhaps this is because Batman is absent, leaving behind only Tony Soprano-like chaos. Instead, we see Colin Farrell as the Penguin, draped in layers of prosthetic makeup, striving to navigate the turmoil for personal gain. It’s compelling, albeit profoundly disheartening, to witness.

Farrell is reprising his unexpected role from 2022’s “The Batman,” where he stars alongside Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz. The series begins after the seawall explosion caused by Paul Dano’s Riddler, plunging the city into chaos following the death of crime lord Carmine Falcone (played by John Turturro), which has created a power struggle.

After Penguin (also known as Oswald Cobblepot, though that’s still somewhat ambiguous) commits a rash crime early on, he finds himself thrust into a perilous journey to survive within Gotham’s criminal underworld. His narrative is far from tidy; he engages in looting, deceit, and murder without remorse. His only concern is to make it through each day alive.

Batman enthusiasts will recognize familiar names from comics and other adaptations. The Falcone crime family continues to be significant, even without Carmine, with his unhinged daughter Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti, who dazzles) taking a central role. Various other criminals populate the Penguin’s universe, including the deceitful Johnny Vitti (Michael Kelly) and Oz’s latest recruit, Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz).

If you don’t identify any characters, don’t worry. “Penguin” skillfully develops a storyline that doesn’t rely on deep knowledge of Batman lore or even the 2022 film for comprehension. It stands alone as a complete narrative, a quality every TV series—spin-off or not—should possess.

“Penguin” primarily functions as a crime drama featuring notable Batman villains. It has been meticulously crafted by the producers, including “The Batman” director Matt Reeves, Farrell, and Lauren LeFranc (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”). However, the show’s success hinges on Farrell’s performance, which impressively captures both shocking and unsettling traits.

There are many remarkable onscreen transformations, but Farrell’s metamorphosis is truly astounding. Despite a heavy application of makeup that makes him nearly unrecognizable, the actor maintains the chilling essence of his character.

His performance is complemented significantly by Milioti, who delivers a delightfully unhinged portrayal as Sofia, aka The Hangman. Recently released from Arkham Asylum, Sofia faces rejection from her own family due to her chaotic tendencies. Milioti turns her usually charming large eyes into windows of madness, showcasing a frighteningly sinister side. Whether she’s a friend, foe, or a mix of both with Oz, the two shine brightest in their scenes together, which are the highlights of the series.

While “Penguin” often leans heavily into a dark and sorrowful tone, it’s important to note that no one is anticipating a light-hearted series, yet there is a fine balance The boundary between engaging yet dark narratives and storylines that are just plain sad (and at times tedious) can be quite thin. The series “Penguin” tends to blur this line throughout its eight-episode run.

Nevertheless, it’s difficult not to be captivated by Farrell. He fully immerses himself in this role and may even keep you anxious if you miss an episode.

What could the Penguin possibly do to us?