In Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020), the supernatural meets social upheaval in a richly layered reimagining of 1930s Los Angeles. But among the chaos of politics, racial tensions, and looming war, one figure rises with undeniable magnetism — Magda, played by Natalie Dormer.
Magda is not just a character; she is a presence. As a shape-shifting demon, she appears in several human forms throughout the series, each crafted to serve a specific purpose — and each exuding a distinct kind of allure. Her beauty is multifaceted: sometimes icy and commanding, other times earthy and sensual, but always calculated. Whether she’s the cold and ambitious Alex, the sultry and rebellious Rio, or the seemingly submissive Elsa, Magda's every look, gesture, and glance is charged with intention.
Natalie Dormer uses her physicality as a language — her eyes linger a second too long, her posture shifts depending on who she’s manipulating, and her voice flows between seduction and command. The sexuality of her characters is never passive; it’s active, deliberate, and often disarming. Magda’s charm lies in this ability to inhabit the fantasy projected onto her — to be the perfect woman for every man she encounters — while concealing the power she holds beneath the surface.
Her beauty is not just skin-deep, nor is it merely for spectacle. It is her weapon and her disguise. In a world where women are often expected to fit into narrow molds, Magda bends and reshapes those expectations to her will. Her sexuality is neither ashamed nor gratuitous — it is a tool of persuasion, an expression of dominance, and a statement of freedom.
Through Magda, City of Angels offers more than a supernatural antagonist — it gives us a study in the power of feminine allure when unbound by societal rules. She is captivating, dangerous, and unforgettable.
