This May, while most network shows will be wrapping up their seasons, Showtime is debuting its brand new horror series Penny Dreadful, which features a number of iconic literary characters. The network has released new photos and bios for its seven leads: Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), Dorian Grey (Reeve Carney), Brona Croft (Billie Piper), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway) and Sembene (Danny Sapani). Check out these photos, then read on for more details about the interactive website that just launched. Penny Dreadful airs its series premiere on Sunday, May 11.

Vanessa Ives (Eva Green)

Penny Dreadful Vanessa Ives Photo

"Poised, mysterious and utterly composed, Vanessa is a seductive and formidable beauty full of secrets and danger. She is keenly observant -- clairvoyant even -- as well as an expert medium. Her supernatural gifts are powerful and useful to those around her, particularly Sir Malcolm, but they are also a heavy burden. Her inner demons are very real to her and everyone around her, and they threaten to destroy her relationships, her sanity, and her very life."

Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton)

Penny Dreadful Sir Malcolm Murray Photo

"A hardened African explorer on a deeply personal quest, Sir Malcolm has nonetheless paid a heavy price for his exciting career. Although his stately home is filled with marvelous souvenirs of his travels, it is devoid of family and loved ones. With Vanessa's help, he is determined to right the wrongs of his past, but his toughest journey lies ahead."

Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett)

Penny Dreadful Ethan Chandler Photo

"A charming American who finds himself trapped in the darkest corners of Victorian London, Ethan's charm and brash ways are catnip to the ladies. When Sir Malcolm enlists him to help in a personal quest, Ethan meets Brona Croft, a beautiful local with a mysterious past. But behind Ethan's bright eyes lurk dark secrets. He is running from something, and his troubling past threatens to overtake him at every turn."

Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney)

Penny Dreadful Dorian Gray Photo

"Dorian Gray is a fabulously wealthy young gentleman who is almost unnerving in his beauty. His skin seems to radiate a golden glow of intoxicating youth and promise. A recklessly abandoned aesthete, he has a devil-may-care attitude that borders on dangerous. Nothing seems to faze him, nor are any risks too great. In fact, he is unnaturally drawn to them."

Brona Croft (Billie Piper)

Penny Dreadful Brona Croft Photo

"Brona is a poor Irish immigrant to Victorian London trying to escape a dark and sordid past. The Gaelic meaning of her name is "sadness," yet she remains lovely, spirited, and erotically alive. She forms a bond with Ethan Chandler, who will do anything for her."

Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway)

Penny Dreadful Dr. Victor Frankenstein Photo

"More Romantic poet than surgeon, Dr. Frankenstein is a tender, gentle soul who is fascinated by the mysteries of life and death. He has dedicated himself to researching what makes something live, and has sacrificed everything for his scientific pursuit. But he is playing with fire, and his research pays off in shocking ways with devastating consequences."

Sembene (Danny Sapani)

Penny Dreadful Sembene Photo

"Sembene is an African man with ritual face scarring who serves as Sir Malcolm's sentry and confidant. He has an air of mystery about him and his heroic efforts will prove invaluable to Sir Malcolm in his personal quest."

We also have nine photos from the upcoming interactive website Penny-Dreadful.com, which will be launched by Showtime later this week. Along with the character photos and bios above, the site will offer an interactive tarot card reading experience, character cinemagraphs and literary elements that illuminate these characters' literary history. In addition, we also have nine photos from another portion of the site, that gives fans a look at Dr. Victor Frankenstein's notebook.

Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 1
Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 2
Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 3
Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 4
Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 5
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Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 8
Penny Dreadful Frankenstein's Notebook Photo 9