Swamp Thing (2019 TV series) explained

Composer:Brian Tyler
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:10
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Runtime:42–60 minutes
Location:Wilmington, North Carolina
Network:DC Universe

Swamp Thing is an American superhero television series created by Gary Dauberman and Mark Verheiden for DC Universe, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The series follows medical doctor Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed) encountering the eponymous Swamp Thing (Derek Mears), a plant-elemental creature who fights malevolent forces around a Louisiana swamp.

The series premiered on May 31, 2019, and consisted of 10 episodes. Shortly after its premiere, DC Universe announced that Swamp Thing had been canceled. The remaining episodes were released on DC Universe until the series' conclusion on August 2, 2019. The series received positive reviews from critics, particularly for the series' horror elements and practical monster effects.

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 might not be dead after all.[2]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

Development

In May 2018, DC Universe gave the production a script-to-series order. Mark Verheiden and Gary Dauberman were attached to write the first episode of the series and executive produce alongside James Wan and Michael Clear. Rob Hackett served as a co-producer. Production companies included Atomic Monster and Warner Bros. Television. Len Wiseman directed the series' first episode in addition to serving as an executive producer.[3]

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.[4] On June 6, 2019, the series was canceled one week after its premiere aired.[5]

Casting

In September 2018, Crystal Reed and Maria Sten were cast in the main roles of Abby Arcane and Liz Tremayne, respectively.[6] [7] Jennifer Beals was also cast in the recurring role of Sheriff Lucilia Cable, although she would later be revealed to be part of the main cast.[8] More series regulars were later revealed, with Jeryl Prescott cast as Madame Xanadu,[9] Virginia Madsen as Maria Sunderland,[10] Will Patton as Avery Sunderland,[11] Andy Bean as Alec Holland with Derek Mears as the Swamp Thing,[12] Henderson Wade as Matt Cable,[13] and Kevin Durand as Jason Woodrue.[14] Ian Ziering joined the cast in the recurring role of Daniel Cassidy / Blue Devil,[15] and Leonardo Nam was cast as Harlan Edwards in a recurring role.[16]

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced in early November 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and wrapped on May 6, 2019.[17] [18]

Cancellation

In April 2019, production for the series was 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.[19] Further reports stated that the series was canceled due to budget shortfalls after the expected level of tax rebates offered by the state of North Carolina were substantially reduced.[20] A representative from DC Universe said that the streaming service was being re-evaluated and that there were no plans for a second season. The spokesman did not elaborate explicitly on why specifically the show was canceled.[21]

Mears described the cancellation as a "heartbreaker" and felt the decision to cancel the show showed a "lack of respect" on DC's part. He added that members of the production had been told up until the cancellation "how amazing everything was... 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".[22] In mid-2019, a movement with the hashtag #SaveSwampThing began spreading on social media shortly after the series was cancelled in an attempt to save the series. Mears also showed his support of the movement.[23] With The CW network acquiring the broadcast rights to the series, The CW president Mark Pedowitz did not rule out the possibility of renewing the series for a second season,[24] but in January 2021, Pedowitz said it was unlikely the series would return on The CW and also commented that there was a slim possibility of Swamp Thing appearing on other Arrowverse series, such as Legends of Tomorrow.[25]

Release

Swamp Thing premiered May 31, 2019, on DC Universe.[26] 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.[27] Swamp Thing: The Complete Series was released digitally on December 2, 2019, and on DVD and Blu-ray on February 11, 2020.[28]

In 2020, The CW acquired the broadcast rights to the series.[29] It began airing on the network from October 6[30] to December 22 in the same year.[31]

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 92% approval rating based on 39 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."[32] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 69 out of 100 based on reviews from 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33]

David Griffin, writing for IGN, said the series properly "honors the comic book origins" of Swamp Thing and praised the performance of Crystal Reed, Virginia Madsen, and Will Patton, as well as the film-making style of Wiseman. Griffin particularly praised the Swamp Thing's practical suit and found that any CGI used was not distracting.[34] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter praised the creepy atmosphere and found the cast performances to be strong enough to carry episodes even when the monster was not on screen.[35]

In a more mixed review, Kevin Yeoman, writing for Screen Rant, approved of the "nausea-inducing practical effects" reminiscent of John Carpenter's The Thing but criticized the writing and pacing and found the decision to not reveal Swamp Thing until the final moments of the pilot episode to be frustrating.[36] Joel Keller of Decider found the horror elements made up for generic characters and an uninteresting mystery plot line.[37]

Accolades

The series was nominated at the 2019 Saturn Awards for Best Streaming Superhero Television Series.[38] Matthew Llewellyn as music editor on "The Anatomy Lesson" was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score and Musical for Episodic Short Form Broadcast Media award at the 2019 MPSE Golden Reel Awards.[39]

Future

Cancelled spin-off

Before the cancellation of the Swamp Thing series, there were plans to introduce Justice League Dark and create a spin-off series based on that team.[40]

Arrowverse

See main article: Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse). Swamp Thing, as depicted in the series, makes a cameo appearance in the Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths" through archival footage of Mears as the character. The event depicts Swamp Thing as being set on the world of Earth-19.[41]

Titans

Swamp Thing, as depicted in the series, makes a cameo appearance in the Titans episode "Dude, Where's My Gar?" via archival footage.[42]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Swamp Thing Filming Location and Start Date Revealed . Jenna . Anderson . June 18, 2018 . Comicbook.com . June 30, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213059/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/swamp-thing-tv-series-dc-universe-filming-production-location/ . live.
  2. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Swamp Thing Drama Series From James Wan In Works At DC Digital Service, Metropolis Heads To Redevelopment . . May 3, 2018 . May 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180503010102/http://deadline.com/2018/05/swamp-thing-drama-series-james-wan-in-works-dc-digital-service-metropolis-redeveloped-dc-universe-1202381370/ . May 3, 2018 . live.
  3. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . Swamp Thing: Len Wiseman To Direct & Exec Produce DC Universe Series As Part Of Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV . Deadline Hollywood . September 4, 2018 . September 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181027232444/https://deadline.com/2018/09/swamp-thing-len-wiseman-direct-first-episode-executive-produce-dc-universe-drama-series-overall-deal-warner-bros-tv-1202456842/ . October 27, 2018 . live.
  4. Web site: Comic-Con 2018: Hands-on with DC's bold, new streaming platform . Little . Morgan . . July 19, 2018 . July 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719163911/https://www.cnet.com/news/comic-con-2018-hands-on-dc-new-streaming-platform/ . July 19, 2018 . live.
  5. Web site: Swamp Thing Cancelled at DC Universe . . Kimberly . Roots . June 6, 2019 . June 6, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190606180159/https://tvline.com/2019/06/06/swamp-thing-cancelled-dc-universe-no-season-2/ . June 6, 2019 . live.
  6. Web site: Swamp Thing: Crystal Reed To Star As Abby Arcane In DC Universe Series . Andreeva . Nellie . . September 6, 2018 . September 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907013807/https://deadline.com/2018/09/swamp-thing-crystal-reed-star-abby-arcane-dc-universe-series-cast-1202458527/ . September 7, 2018 . live.
  7. Web site: Swamp Thing: Maria Sten To Co-Star As Liz Tremayne In DC Universe Series . Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . . September 7, 2018 . September 8, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180907191059/https://deadline.com/2018/09/swamp-thing-maria-sten-star-liz-tremayne-dc-universe-series-1202459208/ . September 7, 2018 . live.
  8. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . Swamp Thing: Jennifer Beals Joins DC Universe Series In Recurring Role . Deadline Hollywood . September 28, 2018 . September 28, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200200/https://deadline.com/2018/09/swamp-thing-jennifer-beals-recur-dc-universe-series-1202473069/ . September 28, 2018 . live.
  9. Web site: Swamp Thing: Jeryl Prescott of Walking Dead Joins DC Series As Madame Xanadu . Boucher . Geoff . . October 26, 2018 . October 26, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181027002858/https://deadline.com/2018/10/swamp-thing-walking-dead-madame-xanadu-dc-universe-jeryl-prescott-dc-comics-1202489953/ . October 27, 2018 . live.
  10. Web site: Petski . Denise . Swamp Thing: Virginia Madsen Cast As Maria Sunderland In DC Universe Series . Deadline Hollywood . November 1, 2018 . November 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181102014545/https://deadline.com/2018/11/swamp-thing-virginia-madsen-cast-maria-sunderland-dc-universe-series-1202494336/ . November 2, 2018 . live.
  11. Web site: Swamp Thing: Will Patton Cast As Avery Sunderland In DC Universe Series . Andreeva . Nellie . . November 5, 2018 . November 6, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181106010013/https://deadline.com/2018/11/swamp-thing-will-patton-cast-avery-sunderland-dc-universe-series-1202496341/ . November 6, 2018 . live.
  12. Web site: Swamp Thing Finds Its Swamp Thing, Sets Andy Bean & Derek Mears For Roles . Hipes . Patrick . . November 6, 2018 . November 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107000603/https://deadline.com/2018/11/swamp-thing-derek-mears-andy-bean-monster-casting-dc-universe-1202497033/ . November 7, 2018 . live.
  13. Web site: Riverdale Actor Henderson Wade Joins Swamp Thing Cast As Matt Cable . Boucher . Geoff . . November 7, 2018 . November 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025852/https://deadline.com/2018/11/riverdale-star-joins-swamp-thing-dc-universe-1202497844/ . November 8, 2018 . live.
  14. Web site: DC Universe: Lost Actor Kevin Durand Joins Swamp Thing As Villain . Boucher . Geoff . . November 12, 2018 . November 16, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181112225353/https://deadline.com/2018/11/dc-universe-lost-actor-kevin-durand-joins-swamp-thing-1202499529/ . November 12, 2018 . live.
  15. Web site: Swamp Thing: Ian Ziering To Play Daniel Cassidy In DC Universe Series . Petski . Denise . . December 12, 2018 . December 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213001932/https://deadline.com/2018/12/swamp-thing-ian-ziering-daniel-cassidy-dc-universe-series-1202518771/ . December 13, 2018 . live.
  16. Web site: Westworlds Leonardo Nam Joins Swamp Thing; Illeana Douglas In Goliath . Petski . Denise . . January 4, 2018 . January 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190104235048/https://deadline.com/2019/01/westworld-leonardo-nam-swamp-thing-goliath-cast-illeana-douglas-1202528580/ . January 4, 2019 . live.
  17. Web site: Ingram . Hunter . Swamp Thing films on the water at Greenfield Lake . . December 2, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181130205630/https://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20181129/swamp-thing-films-on-water-at-greenfield-lake . November 30, 2018 . live.
  18. Web site: Swamp Thing Wraps Filming on Season 1 . cbr . May 6, 2019 . May 31, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190531231143/https://www.cbr.com/swamp-thing-dc-universe-season-1-filming-wrap/amp/ . May 31, 2019 . live.
  19. Web site: Swamp Thing Order Reduced as DC Universe's Role in WarnerMedia Streaming Plans Unclear . Goldberg . Lesley . The Hollywood Reporter . April 17, 2019 . April 18, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190418011546/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/swamp-thing-order-cut-as-dc-universes-role-warnermedia-streaming-unclear-1202680 . April 18, 2019 . live.
  20. Web site: REPORT: Swamp Thing Cancellation Tied to North Carolina Accounting Error . June 6, 2019 . CBR . June 10, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213100/https://www.cbr.com/swamp-thing-cancellation-north-carolina-accounting-error/ . live.
  21. Web site: DC UNIVERSE Comments on Service Reevaluation & SWAMP THING Cancellation, Calls Out 'False Rumors & Speculation' . Newsarama . June 12, 2019 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213100/https://www.gamesradar.com/tag/dc/ . live.
  22. Web site: Swamp Thing Star Derek Mears Discusses That Shocking Cancellation . Haleigh . Foutch . . June 18, 2019 . April 17, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213107/https://collider.com/swamp-thing-cancelled-derek-mears-interview/ . live.
  23. Web site: Swamp Thing Actor Derek Mears Praises The #SaveSwampThing Movement . Atkinson . John . . June 22, 2019 . January 20, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213100/https://screenrant.com/swamp-thing-derek-mears-praises-save-movement/amp/ . live.
  24. Web site: The CW President Addresses If Swamp Thing Could Get a Season 2 . Anderson . Jenna . Comicbook.com . May 14, 2020 . August 17, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213120/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/swamp-thing-tv-show-spoilers-the-cw-season-2-revival/ . live.
  25. Web site: The CW Boss Mark Pedowitz On Launching New Season In January, Stacked Summer & Fall 2021 Plans. White. Peter. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. January 14, 2021. January 14, 2021.
  26. Web site: DC Universe Reveals Stargirl Costume, Sets Swamp Thing Premiere Date . TV Line . Matt . Webb Mitovich . March 29, 2019 . March 30, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190330014724/https://tvline.com/2019/03/29/stargirl-costume-swamp-thing-premiere-date-dc-universe/ . March 30, 2019 . live.
  27. Web site: DC Universe cancels Swamp Thing after a single episode (updated) . June 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190607141846/http://www.engadget.com/2019/06/06/swamp-thing-cancelled-after-a-single-episode/ . June 7, 2019 . live.
  28. Web site: SWAMP THING: THE COMPLETE SERIES (2019) Arrives on Digital December 2nd and Blu-ray & DVD on February 11th . DailyDead.com . Derek . Anderson . November 21, 2019 . March 21, 2020 . November 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201115213101/https://dailydead.com/swamp-thing-the-complete-series-coming-to-blu-ray-and-dvd-on-february-11th/ . live.
  29. Web site: The CW Acquires Rights to Swamp Thing, Tell Me a Story . Thorne . Will . . May 11, 2020 . May 11, 2020 . May 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200512011215/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/swamp-thing-tell-me-a-story-the-cw-rights-1234603694/ . live.
  30. CW announces Supernatural return in October, series finale set for November . Highfill . Samantha . . August 17, 2020 . August 17, 2020 . August 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200818172727/https://ew.com/tv/supernatural-return-series-finale-date/ . live.
  31. Web site: Shows A-Z - swamp thing on dc universe . . October 7, 2020.
  32. Web site: Swamp Thing: Season 1 (2019) . . . June 19, 2021.
  33. Web site: Swamp Thing: Season 1 . . . June 19, 2021.
  34. Web site: Griffin . David . 2020-10-07 . Swamp Thing: Season 1 Premiere Review . 2023-10-14 . IGN . en.
  35. Web site: Fienberg . Daniel . 2019-05-30 . Swamp Thing: TV Review . 2023-10-14 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  36. Web site: Yeoman . Kevin . 2019-05-24 . Review: DC Universe's Swamp Thing TV Series . 2023-10-14 . ScreenRant . en.
  37. Web site: 2019-05-31 . Swamp Thing DC Universe Review: Stream It or Skip It? . 2023-10-14 . en-US.
  38. Web site: Mancuso . Vinnie . July 16, 2019 . Avengers: Endgame, Game of Thrones Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190716042350/http://collider.com/saturn-awards-nominations-2019/ . July 16, 2019 . July 17, 2022 . Collider.
  39. Web site: Giardina . Carolyn . January 19, 2020 . Ford v Ferrari, 1917 Collect Wins at MPSE Golden Reel Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220604035212/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-mpse-golden-reel-award-winners-complete-list-1269705/ . June 4, 2022 . July 17, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  40. Web site: June 11, 2019 . REPORT: Swamp Thing Planned Three-Season Arc Leading To Justice League Dark . ComicBookResources.
  41. Web site: Crisis On Infinite Earths: Every Single Cameo In The Arrowverse Crossover . Orquiola . John . Screen Rant . January 16, 2020 . January 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200116175121/https://screenrant.com/crisis-infinite-earths-cameos-arrowverse-crossover/ . January 16, 2020 . live.
  42. Web site: All 13 DC Movie & TV Cameos In Titans Season 4's Multiverse Scene. Morrison. Matt. . April 20, 2023.

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