Swamp Thing (2019 TV series): Difference between revisions
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'''''Swamp Thing''''' is<!--Don't change to "was"; see [[WP:TVLEAD]].--> an American [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] [[horror fiction|horror]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] [[web television]] series based on the [[DC Comics]] [[Swamp Thing|character of the same name]]. The ten-episode series premiered May 31, 2019, on [[DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]]. Despite positive reviews, the series was canceled shortly after its first episode aired |
'''''Swamp Thing''''' is<!--Don't change to "was"; see [[WP:TVLEAD]].--> an American [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] [[horror fiction|horror]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] [[web television]] series based on the [[DC Comics]] [[Swamp Thing|character of the same name]]. The ten-episode series premiered May 31, 2019, on [[DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]]. Despite positive reviews, the series was canceled shortly after its first episode aired. |
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==Premise== |
==Premise== |
Revision as of 20:03, 9 August 2019
Swamp Thing | |
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File:Swamp Thing logo.png | |
Genre | |
Based on | |
Developed by | |
Starring | |
Composer | Brian Tyler |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Production location | Wilmington, North Carolina |
Cinematography |
|
Editors |
|
Running time | 42–60 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | DC Universe |
Release | May 31 August 2, 2019 | –
Swamp Thing is an American superhero horror drama web television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The ten-episode series premiered May 31, 2019, on DC Universe. Despite positive reviews, the series was canceled shortly after its first episode aired.
Premise
Abby Arcane returns home to Marais, Louisiana[1], to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, where she develops a bond with disgraced scientist Alec Holland. After Holland tragically dies, Abby discovers the mysteries of the swamp and that Holland may not be dead after all.[2]
Cast and characters
Main
- Crystal Reed as Abigail "Abby" Arcane: A CDC doctor investigating a horrific life-threatening epidemic in her hometown while facing her past again.[3] Melissa Collazo portrays teenage Abby.
- Virginia Madsen as Maria Sunderland: The wife of Avery Sunderland, whose grief over the loss of her daughter, Shawna, resurfaces when Abby returns home, and draws Maria into the supernatural mysteries of the swamp.[4]
- Andy Bean and Derek Mears as Alec Holland and Swamp Thing: As the elemental superhero, Swamp Thing, Holland struggles with holding onto his humanity while defending the swamp, the town and the natural world at large. Bean portrays Holland, while Mears performs Swamp Thing in a "physical costume" instead of a CGI while also voicing him.[5]
- Henderson Wade as Matt Cable: A police officer along with his mother, Lucilia, who finds himself in dire straits when supernatural events begin to threaten the town. He's also a childhood friend of Abby.[6]
- Maria Sten as Liz Tremayne: A local newspaper reporter and bartender who is a close childhood friend of Abby Arcane.[7]
- Jeryl Prescott as Nimue Inwudu / Xanadu: A blind fortune teller whose psychic abilities can reveal the future.[8]
- Jennifer Beals as Lucilia Cable: The "tough as nails and pragmatic" sheriff of Marais with a strong devotion to her son, Matt.[9]
- Will Patton as Avery Sunderland: A prominent businessman in Marais, who, while publicly giving back to the community, is determined to harness the power of the swamp for profit as a pharmaceutical cornucopia. He was also the adoptive parent to Abby Arcane after her mother died[10].
- Kevin Durand as Jason Woodrue / Floronic Man: A biogeneticist, brought in to study the properties of the swamp, leading him to become fixated on unlocking its potential, which has tragic and monstrous consequences for him. Durand is listed amongst the main cast but credited as special appearance.[11]
Recurring
- Leonardo Nam as Harlan Edwards: A gay CDC specialist who is Abby's second-in-command[12]
- Elle Graham as Susie Coyle: A young girl who is diagnosed with “Green Flu”, appears to have a mysterious connection to Swamp Thing, and befriends Abby.
- Given Sharp as Shawna Sunderland: Abby’s childhood friend and Maria and Avery’s deceased daughter, who appears in both flashbacks and as a ghost to her mother Maria.
- Ian Ziering as Daniel Cassidy / Blue Devil: A former stuntman who, after becoming semi-famous after playing the demonic Blue Devil in a film, looks to regain his former fame.[13]
- Selena Anduze as Caroline Woodrue: A scientist and Jason Woodrue's wife who has a degenerative medical condition.
- Al Mitchell as Delroy Tremayne: Liz’s father.
Guest
- Michael Beach as Nathan Ellery
- RJ Cyler as Jones
- Micah Fitzgerald as Munson / The Rot
- Macon Blair as Phantom Stranger
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [14] | Prod. code | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | Len Wiseman | Teleplay by : Gary Dauberman & Mark Verheiden | May 31, 2019 | T33.01008 | ||
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2 | "Worlds Apart" | Len Wiseman | Mark Verheiden & Doris Egan | June 7, 2019 | T33.10352 | ||
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3 | "He Speaks" | Deran Sarafian | Rob Fresco | June 14, 2019 | T33.10353 | ||
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4 | "Darkness on the Edge of Town" | Carol Banker | Erin Maher & Kay Reindl | June 21, 2019 | T33.10354 | ||
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5 | "Drive All Night" | Greg Beeman | Franklin Rho | June 28, 2019 | T33.10355 | ||
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6 | "The Price You Pay" | Toa Fraser | Tania Lotia | July 5, 2019 | T33.10356 | ||
Avery’s trackers try to capture Swamp Thing, but he defends himself against them. Lucilia sends Matt to investigate, and Matt is able to track down Swamp Thing. Abby breaks up a brief fight between the two and reveals to Matt that the creature before him is in fact Alec Holland. Matt confesses to Lucilia that he killed Alec for Avery to protect her. Liz tells Abby that the goons that attacked her and Daniel were sent by Avery. Abby confronts Avery over Liz's allegations, and Avery tells Abby that he forgives her this time, but that he won't be so forgiving next time. A comatose Daniel remembers the deal that he made with the Phantom Stranger that resulted in his being trapped in Marais. Jason manages to awaken Daniel, but his experiments on Cassidy almost transform the failed actor into Blue Devil. Jason's wife Caroline sedates Daniel; Xanadu visits him at the hospital and relieves his pain. Swamp Thing grows a hallucinogenic flower out of his hand that makes Abby see him temporarily as Alec. | |||||||
7 | "Brilliant Disguise" | Alexis Ostrander | Andrew Preston & Rob Fresco | July 12, 2019 | T33.10357 | ||
Abby and Alec go to the rotted part of the swamp. While she is collecting a sample from dead wood, the darkness attacks and infects her with a bacteria. Alec takes Abby back to his lab, where she is saved by the Green that defeats the rot in her. Lucilia tells Avery that Alec is still alive and asks him to come with her to take Alec down before he comes for them. Matt surprises him and knocks him out. When Avery wakes up, he tells Matt that he's his father, and Matt gets angry at Lucilia for not telling him. While he is distracted, Avery stabs him. Lucilia then shoots Avery in the leg, causing him to fall overboard. She fires multiple times into the water. Alec tells Abby that his transformation from a human to the creature he has become serves a higher purpose. He also tells Abby to move on with her life and to not come back anymore. Abby goes to the CDC in Atlanta to try to find a cure for him before it is too late. Although injured by bullets, Avery emerges from the water and makes it to the shore. | |||||||
8 | "Long Walk Home" | E. L. Katz | Doris Egan | July 19, 2019 | T33.10358 | ||
A wounded Avery wanders across the forest swamp. He loses blood and begins to hallucinate. Swamp Thing finds him, brings him back to the lab and helps him recover. At the CDC in Atlanta, Abby is denied access to the results of the sample that she brought in; afterwards, she is confronted by the Conclave. Harlan is kidnapped after leaving Abby's apartment. Avery returns the next day with Jason to "help" Swamp Thing, but he also brings Conclave’s mercenaries with him. Swamp Thing tells them to leave, but Jason, Avery and the mercenaries manage to capture him alive. Sensing that Swamp Thing is in danger, Abby heads back to Marais, but arrives at the swamp too late. | |||||||
9 | "The Anatomy Lesson" | Michael Goi | Teleplay by : Mark Verheiden Story by : Noah Griffith & Daniel Stewart | July 26, 2019 | T33.10359 | ||
Swamp Thing is brought to a secret Conclave facility, where Jason conducts research on him. As payback for her plotting to kill him, Avery puts his wife Maria in a mental institution. Matt crashes his car as a result of drinking and driving. Jason removes Swamp Thing's lungs and heart while Swamp Thing is still conscious and discovers that he is still alive without them. After further examination, Woodrue deduces and reveals to him that he is not Alec Holland; he is a humanoid plant that absorbed Holland's memories after the explosion. Abby and Liz locate the facility. Daniel recovers and the Phantom Stranger shows him a vision of Liz and Abby being hunted and killed by Conclave security. He decides to take on the role of Blue Devil; putting on the mask, he transforms. Abby and Liz are able to free Swamp Thing while the Blue Devil takes out the guards, but Jason manages to escape. He returns home, only to find that Caroline has taken all of her medication and OD'd. Swamp Thing returns to the swamp, where he goes underwater and returns with a cadaver. A shocked and horrified Abby looks on as Swamp Thing confirms the body to be that of Alec Holland. | |||||||
10 | "Loose Ends" | Deran Sarafian | Teleplay by : Erin Maher & Kay Reindl Story by : Rob Fresco | August 2, 2019 | T33.10360 | ||
Despite the recovery of Alec Holland's body, Abby tries to make Swamp Thing believe that Holland's spirit resides within him. Nathan and his men attack, but Swamp Thing kills them, sparing only Nathan. Swamp Thing has one last conversation with Alec Holland. Woodrue performs an experiment on himself to save his wife. Madame Xanadu visits Maria in the mental institution and gives her closure, but at the cost of her sanity. Avery tries to reconcile with ex-lover Lucilia, but when she refuses, he attacks her and dumps her car in the swamp with Lucilia inside the trunk. After talking with Liz, Cassidy is finally able to leave Marais. Matt returns to a station overrun with plant life and is confronted by a transformed Jason Woodrue, who attacks him. Both Swamp Thing and Abby make life-changing decisions — to remain in Marais and try to combat the enroaching darkness together. |
Production
Development
On May 2, 2018, it was announced that DC Universe had given the production a script-to-series order. Mark Verheiden and Gary Dauberman were expected to write the first episode of the series and executive produce alongside James Wan, Michael Clear. Rob Hackett was set to serve as a co-producer. Production companies involved with the series were slated to include Atomic Monster Productions and Warner Bros. Television.[2] On September 4, 2018, it was reported that Len Wiseman would direct the series' first episode in addition to serving as an executive producer.[15]
Despite being released on DC Universe, the series does not exist in the same fictional universe as the service's other live-action series, including Titans and Doom Patrol.[16] On June 6, 2019, the series was canceled one week after its premiere aired.[17]
Casting
In September 2018, it was announced that Crystal Reed and Maria Sten had been cast in the main roles of Abby Arcane and Liz Tremayne, respectively.[3][7] In late October and early November 2018, more series regulars were revealed, with Jeryl Prescott cast as Madame Xanadu,[8] Virginia Madsen cast as Maria Sunderland,[4] Will Patton cast as Avery Sunderland.[10] Andy Bean cast as Alec Holland with Derek Mears as the Swamp Thing,[5] Henderson Wade cast as Matt Cable,[6] and Kevin Durand cast as Jason Woodrue.[11]
In September 2018, Jennifer Beals was cast in the recurring role of Sheriff Lucilia Cable.[9] In December 2018, Ian Ziering joined the cast in the recurring role of Daniel Cassidy / Blue Devil,[13] and a month later, Leonardo Nam was cast as Harlan Edwards in a recurring role.[12]
Filming
Principal photography for the series commenced in early November 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina and wrapped on May 6, 2019.[18][19]
Post-production
On April 17, 2019, it was announced that production for the series had been unexpectedly cut short due to creative differences with DC Universe's parent company WarnerMedia, thus reducing the original episode order from 13 to 10 episodes.[20] Further reports stated the series had been canceled due to budget shortfalls after the expected level of tax rebates offered by the state of North Carolina were substantially reduced.[21] A representative from DC Universe stated that the streaming service is being re-evaluated and that there are no plans for season 2. When asked why specifically the show was canceled, the spokesman responded, "Unfortunately, we are not in a position to answer at this time."[22]
In an interview with Collider, actor Derek Mears – who portrays the titular monster – shared his reaction to the cancellation, describing it as a "heartbreaker" and stating that he felt the decision to cancel the show felt like a "lack of respect" on DC's part: "It was such a heartbreaker to find out after our first episode that we got canceled for the second season, but all we've heard up until that point was how amazing everything was," said Mears. "And everyone's going, 'We have a big hit on our hands. This is crazy.' ... So it's a weird nebulous space that we're all in now because we don't know officially why that would happen, or why they canceled it. Even if you are going to cancel it, wouldn't you wait until later on until to see how it plays with fans before? So, something's going on somewhere. [...] I'm very proud of what we did, but also very saddened by the almost the sense of lack of respect," he continued. "We have a brand new baby we worked so hard on, and having someone like slit their throat and go, 'Here's the baby,' and going like, 'Oh, you get no more baby after this' Why would you do that? [...] Maybe something will switch somewhere, if something will flip, and we can all get together again. But I tell you, it's one of the best experiences I have had, and set the bar really high for working together with a group of people."[23]
Release
Swamp Thing premiered May 31, 2019, on DC Universe.[24] Despite being canceled not long after its premiere, DC Universe continued to release the remaining episodes of the series, with the finale being released on August 2, 2019.[25]
Reception
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 93% approval rating based on 30 reviews, with an average rating of 7.32/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "By leaning into the horror of it all, Swamp Thing swims deep into the trenches of this strange world and returns with a scary good TV show."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 67 out of 100 based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[27]
Accolades
Year | Association | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Saturn Awards | Best Streaming Superhero Television Series | Swamp Thing | Pending | [28] |
References
- ^ "'Swamp Thing' Filming Location and Start Date Revealed". DC.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 2, 2018). "'Swamp Thing' Drama Series From James Wan In Works At DC Digital Service, 'Metropolis' Heads To Redevelopment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (September 6, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Crystal Reed To Star As Abby Arcane In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Petski, Denise (November 1, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Virginia Madsen Cast As Maria Sunderland In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (November 6, 2018). "'Swamp Thing' Finds Its Swamp Thing, Sets Andy Bean & Derek Mears For Roles". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Boucher, Geoff (November 7, 2018). "'Riverdale' Actor Henderson Wade Joins 'Swamp Thing' Cast As Matt Cable". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (September 7, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Maria Sten To Co-Star As Liz Tremayne In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Boucher, Geoff (October 26, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Jeryl Prescott of 'Walking Dead' Joins DC Series As Madame Xanadu". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (September 28, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Jennifer Beals Joins DC Universe Series In Recurring Role". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (November 5, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Will Patton Cast As Avery Sunderland In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Boucher, Geoff (November 12, 2018). "DC Universe: 'Lost' Actor Kevin Durand Joins 'Swamp Thing' As Villain". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Petski, Denise (January 4, 2018). "'Westworld's Leonardo Nam Joins 'Swamp Thing'; Illeana Douglas In 'Goliath'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Petski, Denise (December 12, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Ian Ziering To Play Daniel Cassidy In DC Universe Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "SWAMP THING (DC)". The Futon Critic. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (September 4, 2018). "'Swamp Thing': Len Wiseman To Direct & Exec Produce DC Universe Series As Part Of Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Little, Morgan (July 19, 2018). "Comic-Con 2018: Hands-on with DC's bold, new streaming platform". CNET. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Roots, Kimberly (June 6, 2019). "Swamp Thing Cancelled at DC Universe". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Ingram, Hunter (November 29, 2018). "'Swamp Thing' films on the water at Greenfield Lake". Wilmington Star News. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Swamp Thing Wraps Filming on Season 1". cbr. May 6, 2019. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 17, 2019). "'Swamp Thing' Order Reduced as DC Universe's Role in WarnerMedia Streaming Plans Unclear". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "REPORT: Swamp Thing Cancellation Tied to North Carolina Accounting Error". CBR. June 6, 2019.
- ^ "DC UNIVERSE Comments on Service Reevaluation & SWAMP THING Cancellation, Calls Out 'False Rumors & Speculation'". Newsarama.
- ^ Foutch, Haleigh (June 18, 2019). "'Swamp Thing' Star Derek Mears Discusses That Shocking Cancellation".
- ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (March 29, 2019). "DC Universe Reveals Stargirl Costume, Sets Swamp Thing Premiere Date". TV Line. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Swamp Thing: Season 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Swamp Thing: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 16, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Game of Thrones' Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations". Collider. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
External links
- Swamp Thing at IMDb
- 2010s American drama television series
- 2010s American horror television series
- 2019 American television series debuts
- 2019 American television series endings
- DC Universe original programming
- English-language television programs
- Horror drama television series
- Television programs based on DC Comics
- Television series by Warner Bros. Television
- Television shows filmed in North Carolina
- Television shows set in Louisiana
- Swamp Thing in other media