Wynonna Earp (TV series)
Wynonna Earp is a supernatural Western horror television series. Developed by Emily Andras, the Canadian-American production is based on the comic book series by Beau Smith. Melanie Scrofano plays the series' titular character, the great-great-granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. In the series, Earp returns to her hometown of Purgatory, near the Canadian Rockies, where she battles revenants, the reincarnated outlaws that the elder Wyatt killed.
Syfy acquired United States rights for Wynonna Earp and ordered a 13-episode season in 2015, premiering it in the US on April 1, 2016. The series premiered in Canada on CHCH-DT on April 4. Viacom International Media Networks acquired the rights to broadcast Wynonna Earp on its multinational Spike channels in July 2016. Three seasons have since aired and filming for a fourth season began in 2020 before being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Season 4 premiered on Syfy and CTV Sci-Fi Channel on July 26, 2020.
Critical response to the series was positive. E! Entertainment Television named Wynonna Earp the "Best New Show" of 2016. It was chosen by Variety as one of the 20 best new series of 2016. In its annual "Best of TV" highlight, Collider named Wynonna Earp the "Best New Sci-Fi" show of 2016. Maureen Ryan of Variety named Wynonna Earp one of the best television shows of 2017.
Plot
Wynonna Earp, the great-great-granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, battles revenants, the reincarnated outlaws that Wyatt killed. She also fights other supernatural beings that inhabit the Ghost River Triangle, a cursed territory near the Canadian Rockies that includes Purgatory, her home town. Upon her 27th birthday, Wynonna inherited the special power to return revenants to Hell with her ancestor's 12-inch barrel special "Peacemaker" revolver. She is recruited by the Black Badge Division, a secret government agency led by Special Agent Xavier Dolls which eventually includes an ageless Doc Holliday and Wynonna's sister, Waverly Earp. Nicole Haught, Waverly's girlfriend and a Purgatory Sheriff's Deputy, assists the team in her local police role.The first season centers on Wynonna fighting the revenants who kidnapped her older sister Willa from their homestead when they were girls, and the threat posed by Bobo Del Rey, leader of the local revenants. In the second season Wynonna discovers she is pregnant, while Waverly struggles with possession by a demon and doubts about her lineage. At the same time, two sister-wife widows of the dead sheriff who cursed Wyatt Earp seek to resurrect him. In season 3 the demon clootie has been resurrected and wants to find the entrance to the Garden of Eden. Blast from the past for Doc, Wynonna and Waverly and a surprise about Waverly parentage. While Nicole also discovers something from her past that was buried deep, and has been promoted and evacuates Purgatory before the upcoming battle.
Episodes
Cast and characters
Main
- Melanie Scrofano as Wynonna Earp, a great-great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp, who wields the power of Wyatt's "Peacemaker" handgun. She gives birth to a daughter in the season 2 finale, who is smuggled out of the Ghost River Triangle.
- Shamier Anderson as Deputy Marshal Xavier Dolls, a special agent with the Black Badge division of the United States Marshals Service, a combustible mutant lizard-man generated by Black Badge.
- Tim Rozon as Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp's famed partner, cursed by the Stone Witch who cured his tuberculosis by way of eternal health.
- Dominique Provost-Chalkley as Waverly Earp, Wynonna's younger half-sister, who was fathered by an angel named Julian. She is an expert on Earp and ancient history, and becomes Nicole's girlfriend.
- Katherine Barrell as Officer Nicole Haught, a deputy sheriff of Purgatory who becomes Waverly's girlfriend and collaborates with Black Badge. She is promoted to sheriff in season 3.
Recurring
- Greg Lawson as Sheriff Randy Nedley, the sheriff of Purgatory who is aware of the town's supernatural nature. He retires in season 3 and is succeeded by Nicole Haught.
- Michael Eklund as Bobo Del Rey, leader of the revenants and former friend of Wyatt Earp. Before dying, he became Waverly's sworn protector. Bobo is executed by Wynonna in the season 1 finale but unexpectedly revived in season 2. Somewhat of an enigma, Bobo is finally killed by Waverly.
- Rayisa Kondracki as Constance Clootie, also known as the Stone Witch. One of Bulshar's three wives.
- Kate Drummond as Agent Lucado, Dolls' superior officer at Black Badge. Killed by a demon.
- Natalie Krill as Willa Earp, Wynonna and Waverly's older sister, also able to wield the power of Wyatt's "Peacemaker". Mercy-killed by Wynonna in the Season 1 finale..
- Shaun Johnston as Juan Carlo, Purgatory's parish priest in the 1880s. He is mercy-killed by Dolls in season 2 after being fatally wounded by The Widows. In season 3 he is revealed to have been an angel and, along with Julian, charged with protecting the entrance to the Garden of Eden in the Ghost River Triangle.
- Varun Saranga as Jeremy Chetri, a Black Badge Division scientist who helps the Earps against their BBD blood contract. When he was young, he was trapped in a car for three days with his dead mother, and can sense when his friends are scared. In season 3, a fire witch detected that Jeremy was not completely human.
- Tamara Duarte as Rosita Bustillos, a revenant and Doc's girlfriend with advanced degrees in biochemistry and engineering whom he recruits to assist the team. She betrays them and flees in the season 2 finale.
- Dani Kind as Mercedes Gardner, Wynonna's rich high-school best friend, head of the Gardner Family and its purse strings, but disliked by her siblings Beth and Tucker. Along with her sister Beth, her face is stolen by demonic widow spiders, leaving human Mercedes comatose. The possessing Widow is executed by Wynonna in the season 2 finale. Mercedes is revived but left with a scarred face, which was suddenly healed after Waverly touched her cheek, not knowing that she had demi-angel powers.
- Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as Tucker Gardner, younger brother of the Gardner sisters and local miscreant, who has an unhealthy obsession with Waverly. He is killed by the Widow possessing Beth Gardner.
- Meghan Heffern as Beth Gardner, the younger of the two Gardner sisters. Along with her sister Mercedes, her face is stolen by demonic widow spiders, killing human Beth. Widow Beth is executed by Wynonna in the season 2 finale.
- Megan Follows as Michelle Gibson Earp, mother of the Earp sisters. Michelle is a voluntary patient in the Ghost River Institute, a high-security psychiatric facility.
- Chantel Riley as Kate aka "Contessa", wife of Doc Holliday since the 1880s. Kate was turned into a vampire after Doc's disappearance, and returned to Purgatory when she found out he was alive.
- Jean Marchand as Bulshar Clootie, sheriff of Purgatory when Wyatt Earp was the federal marshall in the territory. He was entombed by Juan Carlo and Robert Svane, and resuscitated by The Widows. An Earp family adversary, Bulshar is revealed to be the embodiment of the serpent from the Garden of Eden and aims to bring on an apocalypse during Wynonna's time.
- Sebastian Pigott as Charlie/Julian. An angel assigned to protect the Garden of Eden together with Juan Carlo. He fathered Waverly during his love affair with Michelle Gibson Earp.
In Season 1 Rachael Ancheril appeared as Mattie Perley, a witch known as The Blacksmith, who provided assistance to the Earps; in Season 2 Ancheril appeared as Gretta Perley, also known as The Iron Witch, who was seeking revenge against the Earps whom she blames for the death of her twin sister Mattie.
Development and production
Syfy acquired the U.S. rights to Wynonna Earp from SEVEN24 Films and IDW Entertainment in July 2015 and placed an order for 13 episodes. International distribution of the series was acquired by Dynamic Television in September 2015. On September 30, 2015, SEVEN24 Films announced the acquisition of Canadian broadcast rights by over-the-air independent station CHCH-DT. CHCH procured the funding to broadcast Season 1 from global content investment and rights management company Motion Content Group.Melanie Scrofano was cast in the title role, with Tim Rozon as Doc Holliday and Shamier Anderson as Agent Dolls. Dominique Provost-Chalkley was cast as Waverly Earp. In recurring roles, Michael Eklund was cast as villain Bobo Del Rey and Katherine Barrell as Officer Nicole Haught.
"Tell That Devil" by singer-songwriter Jill Andrews was selected as the theme music for the series. The titles of Wynonna Earp episodes are based on country and western songs.
Viacom International Media Networks acquired the rights to broadcast Wynonna Earp on its multinational Spike channels in July 2016. In March 2017, Bell Media announced the new partnership between Space and SEVEN24 Films as Canadian co-producers of the series. In 2019, Cineflix Studios joined the series as a co-producer and Cineflix Rights became the international rights agent for all seasons of Wynonna Earp. Later that year, in September, Space Channel became the CTV Sci-Fi Channel.
Season 1
of Season 1 took place from September 14, 2015, to February 12, 2016, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Locations included Bridgeland, Inglewood, and Heritage Park. Didsbury, Alberta, was used as the setting for the series' small town of Purgatory.Syfy released the first promotional images and synopsis for the series on November 6, 2015. The teaser trailer was released through IGN in January 2016.
Wynonna Earp premiered on April 1, 2016, on Syfy; and on April 4, 2016, on CHCH-DT.
Season 2
On July 23, 2016, the renewal for a second season was announced at the Wynonna Earp panel at San Diego Comic-Con. In Canada, Wynonna Earp moved from CHCH-DT to Space effective April 15, 2017. In anticipation of the premiere of Season 2, Space began airing Season 1 on the same date with a special double-episode series debut.After the series was renewed for a second season, Melanie Scrofano found out that she was pregnant. Emily Andras decided to incorporate her pregnancy in the arc of the titular character, she informed IDW Entertainment of the prospective storyline, and Syfy added two more episodes, increasing Season 2 from 10 to 12 episodes.
Season 2 began filming in Calgary and surrounding areas from December 12, 2016, to April 13, 2017. Additional location shooting took place in Springbank, Alberta. The recurring cast was joined by Varun Saranga in the role of Jeremy Chetri and Tamara Duarte as Rosita.
The 'sneak peek' of the teaser trailer for the new season was released on April 1, 2017, and the trailer released officially by IGN on May 19, 2017. Syfy released the poster for the season on May 24, 2017.
Season 2 premiered on June 9, 2017, on Syfy and Space.
Season 3
On July 22, 2017, David Ozer, president of IDW Entertainment, announced at the show's SDCC panel that the series had been renewed for a third season with the premiere scheduled for 2018. Space announced on the same day that it had ordered 12 episodes for a third season, together with Syfy. Andras credited Wynonna Earp's passionate fan base with gaining the renewal.Filming of Season 3 began January 15, 2018, and wrapped on May 7, 2018. On February 5, 2018, the series announced the casting of Megan Follows in the role of Michelle Earp, the mother of Wynonna Earp.
In March 2018, Syfy and Space announced that Zoie Palmer had joined the series as a guest star in the role of Jolene; followed by the announcement that Chantel Riley had been cast in the recurring role of a bounty hunter character named Kate. Bell Media announced on April 24 that musician Jann Arden had joined the cast as Bunny Loblaw, a member of Purgatory's town council.
The key art for the season was released on June 5, 2018, along with photos of the cast. Syfy's trailer for the third season was released on June 8, 2018. Space released its trailer on June 15, 2018. The episode titles were released on June 19, 2018.
Season 3 premiered on July 20, 2018, on Syfy and Space. The first episode of the season was released as a special broadcast by Syfy on July 16, 2018, at 11 p.m. Eastern, in advance of the season premiere.
Season 4
On July 21, 2018, the renewal by Syfy and Space for a fourth season was announced at SDCC. The season was scheduled to premiere in 2019 and comprise 12 episodes.In late February 2019, news broke that the start of production on the fourth season had been delayed due to financial problems at IDW Entertainment. On July 2, 2019, it was announced that production would begin in late 2019 and filming starting January 2020, with Cineflix Studios as co-producer, and Canada's Crave network as a new production partner. Emily Andras thanked fans of Wynonna Earp for their loyalty, "This is an enormous testament to our passionate and fierce fans, the Earpers, who remind us every day how to fight like hell for the things you love with wit, ferocity and kindness." Andras and cast were slated to appear at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.
Filming for Season 4 began in Calgary on January 15, 2020. New cast joining the series in the fourth season include Martina Ortiz-Luis as Rachel, Andrew Phung, and Ty Olsson. Production was temporarily suspended on March 16 after Alberta issued a provincial order to stop all television and film productions due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus in the region and Canada. On June 26, 2020, the series and Bell Media announced the premiere of Season 4 on July 26.
Release
Broadcast
Wynonna Earp premiered in the United Kingdom on Spike on July 29, 2016, at 9:00 p.m. The series premiered in Australia on Spike on February 5, 2017.In the UK, Season 2 premiered on Spike on June 13, 2017, at 10:00 p.m. Season 3 premiered on 5Spike on July 27, 2018, at 10:00 p.m.
The series is distributed internationally on Netflix.
Home media
Wynonna Earp became available on Amazon Video as video on demand on May 6, 2016.In December 2016, SEVEN24 Films producer Jordy Randall announced in an interview with the Calgary Herald that Season 1 would be streaming on Netflix. The series became available on Netflix in the United States on April 1, 2017; and in Canada on April 5, 2017.
The Season 1 DVD for Region 4 and Blu-ray for Region B were released first in Australia by Roadshow Entertainment on May 3, 2017.
The Season 2 DVD was released in Region 4 and the Blu-ray in Region B by Roadshow Entertainment on November 1, 2017.
A crowdfunding campaign for a region free Blu-ray release was launched on May 23, 2017, by IDW Entertainment on Indiegogo.
Reception
In the United States, season 1 averaged a total rating of 0.13 with 0.56 million viewers. The season received an 85% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews, with an average rating of 6.11/10. The critical consensus states: "What Wynonna Earp lacks in originality it more than makes up for in gritty, silly, supernatural fun." Metacritic gave it an average score of 68 out of 100.Season 2 averaged a 0.12 rating in the U.S. with 0.50 million viewers. Viewership among women aged 18–34 increased 44 percent, representing more than half of Wynonna Earps audience. The season received a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 8.33/10. The critical consensus states: "Wynonna Earp ups the ante with more action, more surprises, and more Melanie Scrofano as the titular sharp-tongued gunslinger."
In the U.S., season 3 averaged a rating of 0.11 with 0.47 million viewers. The season received a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The critical consensus states: "Wynonna's back, action-packed, and dressed in black in the dynamic third season of Wynonna Earp."
In Canada, overall viewership increased 52% on Space compared to season 1 on CHCH-DT. Viewership of season 2 increased 30% compared to the first season, and made Space "the most-watched entertainment specialty channel" during the program's time slot.
In its new series review, Collider gave Wynonna Earp four stars, calling it "a fresh and familiar take on zombies, the Wild West, and gunslinger culture" and "something that also feels different to anything we're seeing on TV currently, thanks not only to its setting, but its prominent placement of so many strong, profane, kickass female characters." Digital Journal said the series was "smart" and "complex" with "a lot going for it". The A.V. Club called Melanie Scrofano "the right woman for the job... an easy, authoritative presence"; and "when it's allowed the room to run, Wynonna Earp delights in itself," adding that the series "could grow into the good-time Western pulp it has the potential to be." In a post-season 1 review for Salon, Melanie McFarland wrote: "This modern Western proved its mettle by dint of unexpectedly weird plotting and witty dialogue... Scrofano lends a hardened and slightly feral swagger to Wynonna that's vastly entertaining... Much of the show's winning spirit rests in its exploration of family loyalty and the popular conviction that one's blood and dynastic ties compel one to fulfill a prescribed destiny."
E! Entertainment Television named Wynonna Earp the "Best New Show" of 2016. It was chosen by Variety as one of the 20 best new series of 2016, stating "what this prairie-set Canadian import lacks in budget, it makes up for in gumption, sass and camaraderie." In its annual "Best of TV" highlight, Collider named Wynonna Earp the "Best New Sci-Fi" show of 2016.
Maureen Ryan of Variety named Wynonna Earp one of the best television shows of 2017, praising its "fierce and committed performances". The New York Times recommended Wynonna Earp as one of the television series to stream on Netflix, describing it as "internal mythology can be a little too involved, but the characters' motivations are always clear, and the snarky dialogue is fun".
"Wayhaught", the portmanteau for the relationship between Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught, was considered one of the favorite 2017 fan "ships" on Tumblr, and the series was praised for how it is portrayed and acknowledged by Dominique Provost-Chalkley and Katherine Barrell.
Media information
Wynonna Earp producers and cast members appeared at the Calgary International Film Festival on September 30, 2017, in a special program showcasing film and television productions in Alberta, Canada. The event was live-streamed and featured behind-the-scenes stories, insights, and a Q&A session.Awards and nominations
[Aurora Awards]
[Canadian Screen Awards]
Dragon Awards">Dragon Con#The Dragon Awards">Dragon Awards
[GLAAD Media Award]
[People's Choice Awards]
Rockie Awards">Banff World Media Festival#The Rockie Awards">Rockie Awards
[Rosie Awards]
WGC Screenwriting Awards">Writers Guild of Canada">WGC Screenwriting Awards
Contests
Canadian Screen Awards: Audience Award
E! Online">E!">E! Online
Popularity
Wynonna Earps fan base is credited with increasing the series' presence on social media and benefitting Syfy's "It's a Fan Thing" marketing campaign for niche audiences.In response to reportage that season 4 was jeopardized due to financial complications on the part of IDW, dedicated fans began a social media campaign to save the series, including electronic billboards in Times Square promoting Wynonna Earp. In appreciation of their campaign, Melanie Scrofano sponsored a billboard thanking fans for their support.