Netflix’s coming-of-age series Penelope is already in the spotlight as one of the most anticipated releases of 2024. Created by award-winning producer Mel Eslyn and starring The Morning Show’s Mark Duplass, the show blends adventure with the raw emotions of self-discovery.
The series follows the journey of a teenage girl who embarks on a quest to find her true self. Penelope is more than just a typical self-exploration story; it also features fascinating character dynamics. As the series unfolds, Penelope’s interactions with various characters reveal that even in isolation, human connections help us discover our true selves.
Let’s take a look at the amazing cast of Penelope, with each character playing an instrumental role in shaping Penelope’s transformative journey.
Megan Stott as Penelope
Megan Stott takes the lead as the titular character, Penelope, marking her first leading role in a TV series. Widely recognized for her breakout performance in Little Fires Everywhere alongside Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, Stott is no stranger to playing complex teen characters.
In Penelope, Stott portrays a modern teenager who feels disconnected from the fast-paced world around her. Seeking solace, Penelope ventures into the wilderness, leaving behind an ambiguous voice note for her mother. This decision to leave worldly things behind sets her on a path of self-exploration, as viewers will see throughout the series.
Fans of Stott’s previous work in Yes Day and Just Beyond will witness a whole new side of the young actress as she captures the raw emotion of a girl looking for meaning beyond societal expectations.
Krisha Fairchild as Helena
Veteran actress Krisha Fairchild stars as Helena, a wandering traveler who becomes a guiding figure for Penelope on her journey. Fairchild, known for her award-winning performance in Krisha and appearances in Channel Zero and Freeland, brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Helena is not just an ordinary nomadic traveler; she’s also a fountain of wisdom and perspective, helping Penelope navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of her journey.
The bond between Helena and Penelope is a key highlight of the series. While Penelope may not always welcome Helena’s words of wisdom with open arms, viewers will recognize how desperately she needs them. Their connection embodies the theme of intergenerational learning, showing that while Penelope may feel lost, she can stay on the right path by learning from someone else’s experience.
Austin Abrams as Sam
Austin Abrams portrays Sam, a city-based musician whose path crosses with Penelope during her travels. Abrams has built a reputation for playing memorable characters, from his roles in Euphoria, Dash & Lily, and The Walking Dead to his recent performances in Do Revenge and Chemical Hearts.
In Penelope, Sam provides a sense of companionship and understanding that Penelope hasn’t found elsewhere.
Sam’s character brings the allure of the creative life and highlights the complexities of living on the fringes of society. Although he shares Penelope’s desire to escape the conventional world, his journey focuses on acceptance rather than withdrawal.
Their connection, both emotional and intellectual, offers Penelope a glimpse of what it means to belong without losing herself.
Rhenzy Feliz as Peter
Peter is played by Rhenzy Feliz, Penelope’s fellow traveler. Feliz is well-known for his stunning role in Marvel’s Runaways, and his voice-over role as Camilo in Disney’s Encanto, and his casting as Peter is sure to bring quite a wide range of audiences to this show.
Peter comes off as a person intrigued by Penelope’s need for solitude, but simultaneously, he also criticizes her decision to cut off the ties she had with her family and society.
The relationship between Peter and Penelope can be seen as one of mutual respect coupled with natural curiosity. But yet, their opposing outlooks about life pave them different ways, making a theme for themselves in the show.
Ultimately, it is only through Peter that Penelope realizes that her quest for ‘true belonging’ might involve something more than just physical escape.
Cynthia Geary and Barry O’Neil as Penelope’s Parents
The strained relationship between Penelope and her parents (played by Cynthia Geary and Barry O’Neil) is central to her decision of leaving them. Emmy-nominated Geary plays Penelope’s mother, while Barry O’Neil seems to have returned from his acting break to play Penelope’s father.
The strained mother-daughter dynamic can be observed to be rooted deep in the many emotional conversations that hint at the same. Meanwhile, the father only appears in key moments, painting quite the picture of the broken family.
Penelope’s parents show a well-placed mirror to society, portraying the pressure and expectations that society places on families, leading to disastrous consequences. The show also doesn’t shy away from properly exploring the many complexities in these parental relations.
What to Expect From Penelope?
A collection of vibrant scenes ranging from snowy to tropical, Penelope is visually stunning and emotionally eye-opening.
It attempts to strike a balance between solitude and meaningful connection. And of course, the young marvel Megan Stott is wonderful on camera.
Playing the role of this young teenager setting off on a soul-searching adventure, she’s fully captured audiences with her coming-of-age vibe added to a natural background, instead of a fast world that seems somewhat disconnected.
About Penelope (2024)
Penelope is a 2024 coming-of-age television series from Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, and starring Megan Stott and Austin Abrams. It premiered on Netflix in the United States on September 24, 2024. A sixteen-year-old girl leaves her home for a wilderness area due to her love of nature and a disconnect with the modern world. The series is co-created by Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, who acts as showrunner. It is produced by Duplass Brothers Productions with Duplass and Shuli Harel as executive producers. The cast is led by Megan Stott, with Austin Abrams and Krisha Fairchild. Eslyn also directs.
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