V Wars Explained

Theme Music Composer:Andrew Lockington
Composer:Michael White
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:10
Producer:Thomas Vencelides
Cinematography:Craig Wright
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:37–57 minutes
Network:Netflix

V Wars is an American science fiction horror 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. The series was canceled after one season, in March 2020.

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.[1] The outbreak is caused by an ancient biological infectious agent, a prion, that turns humans into vampires,[2] released from ice by climate change.[3]

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).

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

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. 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. Netflix canceled the series after one season, on March 30, 2020.[4]

Casting

In April 2018, Ian Somerhalder was cast in the role of Dr. Luther Swann.[5] In June 2018, Adrian Holmes, Jacky Lai and Peter Outerbridge joined the main cast.[6] [7] In July 2018, Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf and Kimberly-Sue Murray were cast in the series.[8]

Filming

Principal photography began in Sudbury and Cambridge, Ontario in the end of June 2018.[9] [10] Principal photography wrapped in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October 2018.[11]

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.

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:

An omnibus volume containing all 11 issues was also released:

TV series

On November 19, 2019, the official trailer for the series was released by Netflix.[16] The series was released on December 5, 2019.[17]

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]

Notes and References

  1. Why Ian Somerhalder returned to the world of vampires for Netflix's V Wars. Bucksbaum. Sydney. Entertainment Weekly. December 2, 2019. December 3, 2019. December 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191203154912/https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/02/ian-somerhalder-netflix-v-wars-interview/. live.
  2. Web site: Ian Somerhalder's V Wars: 5 Reasons Why The Vampire Diaries Fans Will Enjoy The New Netflix Show. 2019-12-05. CINEMABLEND. 2019-12-19. 2019-12-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20191219085738/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2485975/ian-somerhalders-v-wars-5-reasons-why-the-vampire-diaries-fans-will-enjoy-the-new-netflix-show. live.
  3. Web site: V Wars' Entire Nefarious Finale Twist, Explained. Romero. Ariana. www.refinery29.com. en. 2019-12-19. 2019-12-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20191229091733/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/12/8997396/v-wars-netflix-episode-10-recap-calix-vampire-michael-dead. live.
  4. Web site: Netflix Cancels 'V-Wars' and 'October Faction' After 1 Season. Sippell. Margeaux. The Wrap. March 30, 2020. March 30, 2020. June 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200628134925/https://www.thewrap.com/netflix-cancels-v-wars-october-faction-after-one-season/. live.
  5. Web site: Netflix Orders Vampire Drama Series 'V-Wars' Based On Book; Ian Somerhalder To Star. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. April 16, 2018. June 26, 2019. January 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200112231243/https://deadline.com/2018/04/netflix-orders-vampire-drama-series-v-wars-ian-somerhalder-1202363947/. live.
  6. Web site: 'V-Wars': Adrian Holmes To Co-Star, Jacky Lai Cast In Netflix Vampire Drama Series. Petski. Denise. Deadline Hollywood. June 4, 2018. July 13, 2019. July 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190713183616/https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-adrian-holmes-jacky-lai-netflix-vampire-drama-series-1202401737/. live.
  7. Web site: 'V-Wars': Peter Outerbridge Joins Netflix Vampire Drama As Series Regular. Denise. Petski. June 4, 2018. July 18, 2018. Deadline Hollywood. December 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191231161251/https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-peter-outerbridge-netflix-vampire-drama-series-regular-ian-somerhalder-1202410480/. live.
  8. Web site: 'V-Wars': Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf & Kimberly-Sue Murray Join Netflix Vampire Drama Series. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. July 18, 2018. July 18, 2018. July 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180724121754/https://deadline.com/2018/07/v-wars-laura-vandervoort-kyle-breitkopf-kimberly-sue-murray-netflix-vampire-drama-series-cast-1202428098/. live.
  9. News: New Netflix series being shot in Sudbury highlights busy summer of filming. Benjamin. Aubé. CBC Northern Ontario. July 25, 2018. August 24, 2019. August 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180823182915/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/filming-netflix-vwars-graphic-novel-comic-series-1.4760422. live.
  10. Web site: Netflix commissions V-Wars. Pinto. Jordan. Playback. April 17, 2018. July 13, 2019. June 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190625015306/http://playbackonline.ca/2018/04/17/netflix-commissions-v-wars/. live.
  11. Web site: Galt's Main Street Bridge closed for filming of Netflix series. CBC Northern Ontario. October 19, 2019. July 13, 2019. March 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190326155421/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/galt-s-main-street-bridge-closed-for-filming-of-netflix-series-1.4870367. live.
  12. Web site: Title: V Wars . September 24, 2020 . . July 18, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170718070706/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1402840 . live .
  13. Web site: Title: V Wars: Blood and Fire . September 24, 2020 . . July 18, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170718075334/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1733064 . live .
  14. Web site: Title: V Wars: Night Terrors . September 24, 2020 . . July 18, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170718072326/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1816331 . live .
  15. Web site: Title: V Wars: Shockwaves . September 24, 2020 . . June 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210627074354/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2777950 . live .
  16. Web site: [Trailer] Netflix Unleashes a Vampire Epidemic With New Horror Series "V Wars"]. Squires. John. Bloody Disgusting. November 19, 2019. November 20, 2019. December 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191221172140/https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3594740/trailer-netflix-unleashes-vampire-epidemic-new-original-horror-series-v-wars/. live.
  17. Web site: Ian Somerhalder's Netflix Vamp Drama V Wars Sets Premiere — View Photos. TVLine. Vlada. Gelman. October 30, 2019. October 30, 2019. December 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191217071157/https://tvline.com/2019/10/30/v-wars-season-1-premiere-date-netflix-ian-somerhalder-vampire-drama/. live.
  18. Web site: V Wars: Season 1 (2019). Rotten Tomatoes. March 31, 2020.
  19. Web site: The return of Ian Somerhalder, thanks to 'V-Wars' . December 5, 2019 . Isaac . Feldberg . . September 24, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924165118/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/06/arts/return-ian-somerhalder-thanks-v-wars/ . live .
  20. Web site: If you like absurd and crass humour, then this is the show for you . Brad . Newsome . . December 18, 2019 . September 24, 2020 . August 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804074429/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/if-you-like-absurd-and-crass-humour-then-this-is-the-show-for-you-20191216-p53kh8.html . live .
  21. Web site: V-Wars Season 1 . Andrew . Dex . . December 17, 2019 . September 24, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171041/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/v-wars-season-1 . live .
  22. Web site: V-WARS Season 1: A Mediocre Induction Into Vampirism . Stephanie . Archer . Film Inquiry . January 2, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171932/https://www.filminquiry.com/v-wars-season-1/ . live .
  23. Web site: #NativeNerd reviews: Frozen 2, V-Wars, Marriage Story, Jumanji 2 and more Baby Yoda . Vincent . Schilling . . December 13, 2019 . September 24, 2020 . July 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200710033820/https://indiancountrytoday.com/lifestyle/nativenerd-reviews-frozen-2-v-wars-marriage-story-jumanji-2-and-more-baby-yoda-nR4Ktnui9UaaTgc5eUmT4Q . live .
  24. Web site: Stream It Or Nah: Netflix's 'V-Wars' Is Straight Trash . Dustin . Rowles . Pajiba . December 6, 2019 . September 24, 2020 . December 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223021235/https://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/stream-it-or-nah-netflixs-vwars-is-straight-trash.php . live .
  25. Web site: 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 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809054304/https://www.espinof.com/criticas/v-wars-serie-vampiros-ian-somerhalder-netflix-no-termina-hincarle-diente-a-sus-interesantes-ideas . August 9, 2020 . September 24, 2020 . Espinof . es.
  26. Web site: V Wars Review: 5 Ups & 3 Downs . . 6 December 2019 . September 24, 2020 . December 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223042114/http://whatculture.com/tv/v-wars-review-5-ups-3-downs . live .

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