The first official photo of "Penny Dreadful" season 3 has emerged online via TVLine and it showcases the unique relationship shared between Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) and Dr. Seward (Patti LuPone).
LuPone appeared in season 2 as a guest star where she portrayed the Cut-Wife, Joan Clayton. In season 3 she has been promoted to series' regular and will be portraying the enigmatic Dr. Seward, an American therapist that many literary and horror fans will recognize as a name derived directly from Bram Stoker's novel, "Dracula."
In the novel, Dr. Seward is male and one of the main protagonists fighting the evil vampire. Seward, in the book, is the head psychiatrist in an asylum where one of his patients is in fact working for Dracula. It is likely that in "Penny Dreadful" season 3, this iteration of Dr. Seward will share some of those traits and connections to Dracula.
In the photo released, Vanessa is seen wearing a straight jacket and appears to be mentally breaking down. Seward coddles her and it appears that she is attempting to treat Vanessa, but many fans also speculate that Seward is in fact playing mind games and could be slowly destroying Vanessa's mind.
It is unclear at this point if Dr. Seward's connections to Dracula and the paranormal will be immediately unveiled in season 3 or if she will just start out as a therapist for Vanessa. It is also unknown if this iteration of Dr. Seward is acquainted with Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) or his daughter Mina (Olivia Llewellyn).
LuPone will not be the only new doctor in town, however. As previously reported, Dr. Henry Jekyll will be in season 3 and is set to be portrayed by Shazad Latif. It is given that where Dr. Jekyll goes Mr. Hyde will follow. Jekyll's dual personalities may in fact become a key plot in season 3 and may even tie into what is happening between Vanessa and Seward.
"Penny Dreadful" season 3 will premiere in 2016.
