Lauren LeFranc, the showrunner and executive producer of HBO’s The Penguin, is reportedly in discussions to join Warner Bros. and DC Comics’ upcoming Poison Ivy-focused television series as a producer, according to sources cited by Deadline.
The project has been in development for several months, but progress was reportedly put on hold amid the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. The latest development suggests that LeFranc would serve solely as a producer rather than write the series, which would explore the story of the iconic DC Comics character. No writers have been attached to the project so far.
If the series receives a green light, it is expected to air on HBO. However, sources indicate that it will not be connected to Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, which stars Robert Pattinson as Gotham City’s Dark Knight.
Created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino, Poison Ivy is one of Batman’s well-known adversaries, often described by DC Comics as its “Floral Femme Fatale.” The character’s real identity is Dr. Pamela Isley, a botanist with extraordinary abilities. Through her pheromones, she can manipulate and control others, while her connection to plant life allows her to command vegetation and use it as a weapon.
Casting details for the lead role have yet to be announced. Poison Ivy has appeared in several DC adaptations over the years, although her presence in recent DC Studios projects has been relatively limited. One of her most prominent recent appearances was in HBO Max’s adult animated series Harley Quinn, where Lake Bell voices the character.
The villain has also featured in several live-action television productions. Bridget Regan portrayed Poison Ivy in The CW’s Batwoman, while Peyton List played the character in Fox’s Gotham. Other actresses who have brought the character to life include Uma Thurman, Clare Foley and Maggie Geha.
LeFranc’s potential involvement follows her work on The Penguin, the acclaimed crime drama set within Reeves’ Batman universe. Beyond that series, her television credits include writing and producing work on YouTube Premium’s Impulse, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., NBC’s Chuck and My Own Worst Enemy, which starred Christian Slater.
Although the Poison Ivy series remains in its early stages, LeFranc’s reported attachment as a producer marks a notable development for the project. With no writers or lead actor confirmed, further details about the series’ direction and timeline have yet to emerge.
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