The Penny Dreadful sequel is here. Natalie Dormer plays a character called Magda, who takes on a variety of roles throughout the premiere. Who is Magda meant to be?

We’re just one episode into the Penny Dreadful sequel, and we’re all hooked. There was plenty happening to set the stage in the premiere, but there’s one thing that we’re left confused about. Natalie Dormer made it clear she’s there to spread evil, but who is Magda supposed to be on Penny Dreadful: City of Angels?

The whole season is supposed to derive mostly from Mexican American folklore. That makes sense with victims wearing Day of the Dead makeup and the use of Santa Muerte. However, Magda doesn’t seem to have any sort of connection. Nor do the other roles Dormer expertly takes on throughout the premiere. All we can tell is that she’s intent on proving that humanity will wipe itself out.

A shape-shifting demon

At no point do we get to know who Magda is. And in all my research into Natalie Dormer’s interviews, there’s never an explanation as to who she is in the folklore. In fact, it looks like she’s not from any particular lore, but instead a character created to help tell the story.

One Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Magda is a shape-shifting demon. And yes, we certainly saw her shape-shift. She is Elsa, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed German woman. Then she is a frumpy assistant to a councilman. We haven’t seen her yet, but she will also be part of the Vega storyline in a third role. Of course, there’s also the role as the demon who whispers into the ears of humans and walks around unseen by all.

She is the one that encourages the humans to be evil. She encourages good people to do bad things, all in the name of proving a point to her “sister,” Santa Muerte.

A confusing addition to the world of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels

If this was the original Penny Dreadful, I don’t think there would be as many questions about Magda’s characters. There would be theories but not questions as to how she fits into the lore. Because the lore of the sequel is Mexican American, it feels a little odd to have a shape-shifting demon like Magda involved. She doesn’t quite fit, unless it is another way of adding race within the story.

However, I’m going to give it time. After all, this is just the first episode. We need to give it at least two or three to really get a feel of the series. And a show like Penny Dreadful deserves the time to fully tell the tale.

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Who do you think Magda is supposed to be? What are you excited to see in the Penny Dreadful sequel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels airs on Sundays at 10/9c on SHOWTIME.