V Wars

V Wars is a 2019 American science fiction horror streaming television series based on the anthology series of the same name and comic book by Jonathan Maberry. The series stars Ian Somerhalder, Adrian Holmes, Jacky Lai, Kyle Breitkopf, Peter Outerbridge, Kimberly-Sue Murray and Sydney Meyer. It premiered on Netflix on December 5, 2019.[1] The series was canceled after one season, in March 2020.[2]

V Wars
Genre
Based onV Wars
by Jonathan Maberry
Starring
Theme music composerAndrew Lockington
ComposerMichael White
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • William Laurin
  • Glenn Davis
  • Brad Turner
  • Eric Birnberg
  • Thomas Walden
  • James Gibb
  • Ian Somerhalder
  • Lydia Antonini
  • Matthew McCluggage
  • Paul Harb
  • Ted Adams
  • Jonathan Maberry
ProducerThomas Vencelides
CinematographyCraig Wright
Editors
  • Geoff Ashenhurst
  • Paul Day
  • Dave Thompson
  • Paul Whitehead
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time37–57 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)

Synopsis

V Wars follows the story of the physician/scientist Dr. Luther Swann, and his best friend Michael Fayne, as they face the evolving crisis of a deadly outbreak that fractures society into opposing factions, potentially escalating to a future war between humans and vampires.[3] The outbreak is caused by an ancient biological infectious agent, a prion, that turns humans into vampires,[4] released from ice by climate change.[5]

In the conflict, the vampire faction, called Blood, is opposed by the elements of the government, such as Calix Niklos (Peter Outerbridge) who plots with anti Blood senator Smythe (Ted Atherton).[5]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Down with the Sickness"Brad TurnerGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
2"Blood Brothers"Brad TurnerGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
3"Because I Could Not Stop for Death"T.J. ScottGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
4"Bad as Me"T.J. ScottGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
5"Cold Cold Ground"Kaare AndrewsGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
6"It's Not Enough to Have Lived"Marita GrabiakGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
7"The Night Is Darkening Round Me"Bobby RothGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
8"Red Rain"Brad TurnerGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
9"The Junkie Run of the Predator Gene"Ian SomerhalderGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)
10"Bloody but Unbow'd"Brad TurnerGlenn Davis & William LaurinDecember 5, 2019 (2019-12-05)

Production

Development

On April 16, 2018, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes.[6] The series was created by William Laurin and Glenn Davis, who are credited as the showrunners and executive producers of the series. Additional executive producers were set to include Brad Turner, Eric Birnberg, Thomas Walden, David Ozer, Ted Adams and James Gibb.

Production companies involved with the series include High Park Entertainment and IDW Entertainment.[6] Netflix canceled the series after one season, on March 30, 2020.[2]

Casting

In April 2018, Ian Somerhalder was cast in the role of Dr. Luther Swann.[6] In June 2018, Adrian Holmes, Jacky Lai and Peter Outerbridge joined the main cast.[7][8] In July 2018, Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf and Kimberly-Sue Murray were cast in the series.[9]

Filming

Principal photography began in Sudbury and Cambridge, Ontario in the end of June 2018.[10][11] Principal photography wrapped in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October 2018.[12]

Releases

Anthology series

There have been four anthologies, edited by Jonathan Maberry and published by IDW Publishing, in the V Wars series. Notable authors who contributed short stories to the series include Maberry, Jennifer Brozek, Larry Correia, Keith R. A. DeCandido, John Everson, Gregory Frost, Nancy Holder, Jeff Mariotte, Joe McKinney, James A. Moore, Yvonne Navarro, Scott Nicholson, Weston Ochse, Jeremy Robinson, Scott Sigler, John Skipp, and Tim Waggoner.

  • V Wars (May 2012, ISBN 978-1-61377-151-8)[13]
  • V Wars: Blood and Fire (July 2014, ISBN 978-1-63140-027-8)[14]
  • V Wars: Night Terrors (March 2015, ISBN 978-1-63140-272-2)[15]
  • V Wars: Shockwaves (August 2016, ISBN 978-1-63140-640-9)[16]

Comic series

The V Wars comics series was released in 11 issues by IDW from April 2014 through March 2015. They have been collected in the following volumes:

  • V Wars: Crimson Queen (October 2014, ISBN 978-1-63140-063-6)
  • V Wars: All of Us Monsters (May 2015, ISBN 978-1-63140-255-5)

An omnibus volume containing all 11 issues was also released:

  • V Wars: The Graphic Novel Collection (May 2019, ISBN 978-1-68405-536-4)

TV series

On November 19, 2019, the official trailer for the series was released by Netflix.[17] The series was released on December 5, 2019.[1]

Reception

Critical reviews are mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a critic approval rating of 56%, with an average rating of 6.73/10, based on nine reviews.[18] Isaac Feldberg at The Boston Globe enjoyed it, calling it "unabashedly silly...a fun, freaky B-movie stretched out to series’ length".[19] The Sydney Morning Herald reviewer, Brad Newsome, was less kind in calling it a "a frustrating thing" that doesn't deliver on its promises.[20] Andrew Dex at Starburst criticized the weak character development and mix of seemingly-unrelated side characters while also praising the growing strength of the series by the end of the season.[21]

In her review for Film Inquiry, Stephanie Archer stated "the series left much to be desired" and that there was "an immediate disconnect with Dr. Swann, played by Somerhalder".[22] Vincent Schilling of Indian Country Today, on the other hand, praised the casting of Somerhalder and Michael Greyeyes, stating he was "hooked from the beginning". He goes on to say that the "show is a blast".[23] Dustin Rowles at Pajiba described the series as "very low-rent", "poorly written", and "humorless".[24]

Mikel Zorilla of the Spanish-language web magazine Espinof criticized the series' lack of focus, saying it had potential but failed to do anything to stand out.[25] WhatCulture described the series "a thrilling well-paced ride...[and] damn good fun that compels you to keep watching" despite "moments that temporarily draw focus from the plot and leave you scratching your head".[26]

References
  1. Gelman, Vlada (October 30, 2019). "Ian Somerhalder's Netflix Vamp Drama V Wars Sets Premiere — View Photos". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  2. Sippell, Margeaux (March 30, 2020). "Netflix Cancels 'V-Wars' and 'October Faction' After 1 Season". The Wrap. Archived from the original on June 28, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. Bucksbaum, Sydney (December 2, 2019). "Why Ian Somerhalder returned to the world of vampires for Netflix's V Wars". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  4. "Ian Somerhalder's V Wars: 5 Reasons Why The Vampire Diaries Fans Will Enjoy The New Netflix Show". CINEMABLEND. 2019-12-05. Archived from the original on 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  5. Romero, Ariana. "V Wars' Entire Nefarious Finale Twist, Explained". www.refinery29.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  6. Andreeva, Nellie (April 16, 2018). "Netflix Orders Vampire Drama Series 'V-Wars' Based On Book; Ian Somerhalder To Star". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  7. Petski, Denise (June 4, 2018). "'V-Wars': Adrian Holmes To Co-Star, Jacky Lai Cast In Netflix Vampire Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  8. Petski, Denise (June 4, 2018). "'V-Wars': Peter Outerbridge Joins Netflix Vampire Drama As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  9. Petski, Denise (July 18, 2018). "'V-Wars': Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf & Kimberly-Sue Murray Join Netflix Vampire Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  10. Aubé, Benjamin (July 25, 2018). "New Netflix series being shot in Sudbury highlights busy summer of filming". CBC Northern Ontario. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  11. Pinto, Jordan (April 17, 2018). "Netflix commissions V-Wars". Playback. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  12. "Galt's Main Street Bridge closed for filming of Netflix series". CBC Northern Ontario. October 19, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  13. "Title: V Wars". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  14. "Title: V Wars: Blood and Fire". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  15. "Title: V Wars: Night Terrors". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  16. "Title: V Wars: Shockwaves". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  17. Squires, John (November 19, 2019). "[Trailer] Netflix Unleashes a Vampire Epidemic With New Horror Series "V Wars"". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  18. "V Wars: Season 1 (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  19. Feldberg, Isaac (December 5, 2019). "The return of Ian Somerhalder, thanks to 'V-Wars'". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  20. Newsome, Brad (December 18, 2019). "If you like absurd and crass humour, then this is the show for you". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  21. Dex, Andrew (December 17, 2019). "V-Wars Season 1". Starburst. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  22. Archer, Stephanie (January 2, 2020). "V-WARS Season 1: A Mediocre Induction Into Vampirism". Film Inquiry. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  23. Schilling, Vincent (December 13, 2019). "#NativeNerd reviews: Frozen 2, V-Wars, Marriage Story, Jumanji 2 and more Baby Yoda". Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  24. Rowles, Dustin (December 6, 2019). "Stream It Or Nah: Netflix's 'V-Wars' Is Straight Trash". Pajiba. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  25. Zorrilla, Mikel (December 6, 2019). "'V Wars': la serie de vampiros de Ian Somerhalder en Netflix no termina de hincar el diente a sus interesantes ideas" [V Wars': Ian Somerhalder's vampire series on Netflix does not finish sinking its teeth into his interesting ideas]. Espinof (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  26. "V Wars Review: 5 Ups & 3 Downs". WhatCulture. 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on December 23, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
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