Poison Ivy could be preparing to put down roots at HBO, with The Penguin creator and showrunner Lauren LeFranc in talks to produce a television series centered on the Batman villain for HBO and DC Studios.

The potential project remains in its early stages. No writer or cast details have been disclosed, and HBO declined to comment. Deadline first reported the development, which The Hollywood Reporter subsequently confirmed.

One key distinction is already emerging: The proposed Poison Ivy series is said to sit outside the Batman universe overseen by director Matt Reeves. That would separate it from The Penguin, LeFranc’s previous visit to Gotham and a direct extension of Reeves’ The Batman.

A Longtime Villain Moves Toward the Spotlight

In Batman comics, Poison Ivy is the villainous identity of Dr. Pamela Isley, a botanist who acquires supernatural control over plants and becomes an ecoterrorist in Gotham. Introduced in 1966, the character went on to become a regular member of Batman’s rogues gallery.

Although Poison Ivy has never led a television series of her own, she has maintained a steady screen presence. Uma Thurman played her in the 1997 live-action movie Batman & Robin, while animated versions of the character have appeared in Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Harley Quinn. Poison Ivy is sometimes romantically linked with Harley Quinn.

The character has also surfaced in live-action television through appearances in Gotham and Batwoman. A standalone HBO project would therefore mark her first opportunity to headline a TV series rather than appear as part of another character’s story.

Lauren LeFranc’s Gotham Track Record

LeFranc is already closely associated with one successful Batman villain project. She created and served as showrunner of The Penguin, which debuted in 2024 and became both a ratings hit and a critical favorite.

That series was firmly situated within Reeves’ Batman universe. Colin Farrell returned to the title role he played in The Batman, again undergoing an extensive prosthetic transformation, while Reeves served as an executive producer. The Penguin went on to win nine Emmys in 2025.

Before her work on The Penguin, LeFranc was a writer and producer on ABC’s Marvel series Agents of SHIELD.

Despite the success and awards recognition for The Penguin, HBO has not renewed the show for a second season. LeFranc’s talks over Poison Ivy would give her another possible DC Studios project, though this one would reportedly be disconnected from the continuity where her earlier Gotham series unfolded.

Batman’s Villains Keep Moving Forward

The Poison Ivy news comes one day before another Batman adversary, Clayface, receives a standalone movie. James Watkins directed the eponymous film about the lesser-known villain.

Reeves’ own Batman film series is also set to continue. The Batman Part II is scheduled to premiere on Feb. 18, 2028.

ShowBiz Take

The most significant part of this early development is not simply that another Batman character may be headed to television. Poison Ivy has spent decades appearing in supporting roles across movies, animation and live-action TV, but she has never been the central figure in a series.

LeFranc’s involvement also gives the prospective show a clear connection to a proven Gotham storyteller. The Penguin delivered ratings, critical recognition and nine Emmy wins, making her a notable choice to help shape another villain-led project.

At the same time, the reported decision to keep Poison Ivy outside Reeves’ universe signals that the series would not merely repeat the exact framework of The Penguin. How that separate setting would define Pamela Isley and her plant-based powers remains an open question.

What Happens Next?

The immediate question is whether LeFranc’s producing talks result in the project moving ahead. With the series still at an early stage, its writer, cast and creative direction have yet to be revealed. HBO and DC Studios have also not announced when the potential show could enter production or reach viewers.