Take the sarcastic, whiskey drinking female hero of Westworld, stir - and you've got Wynonna Earp. Sounds pretty great, right? The show's first season premiered on Syfy last April and quickly earned praise from both critics and fans alike for its strong characters and sharp scripts.
From showrunner Emily Andras (Killjoys and Lost Girl), Wynonna Earp is an action-packed fantasy drama about a woman, named Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) who just happens to be the great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp. On her 27th birthday she reluctantly returns to her hometown of Purgatory, where she is confronted by her family's curse and her legacy. As the Earp heir, her job is to kill the Revenants - basically the zombiefied version of Wyatt's past victims who are out to kill her and her family.
The first 13 episodes of season one are all coming to Netflix on April 1st. Season two is set to premiere on June 9th on Syfy. There has never been a better time to catch up! And if you need more convincing here are 15 Reasons to Watch Wynonna Earp.
15. It's Based on a Comic Series
Wynonna Earp is based on the IDW comic book series created by writer Beau Smith in 1996 with art by Joyce Chin and Pat Lee. There was an additional series from 2003-2004 as well graphic novels published in 2011. Smith's version of Wynonna is a bit older than she is portrayed in the show. She's already an established special agent working for the Monster Squad (which later becomes the Black Badge Division).
Many of the show's villains including Bobo Del Rey (Michael Eklund) and the revenants are taken straight from the comics, although Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon) and Wavery Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) are original characters.
After Syfy picked up Wynonna Earp a seven part limited comic was released that tied directly into the series. It acted as a sort of prequel, featuring Wynonna as she appears on TV: just a young woman first starting out on her job and unsure of her abilities.
If that isn't enough, there is also the "Wynonna Earp Legends" series ,which features the show's stars Scrofano and Rozon as co-writers on comics based on the characters they play. These new comics allow the actors to further explore their characters and the history surrounding them, while also giving new fans a chance to learn some of the older mythology not included in the show.
14. It's "Frozen Meets Buffy"
When Andras pitched Wynonna Earp she jokingly said the premise of show was, " Slayer." Boy, does it live up to that promise. The show follows Wynonna as she hunts down the Revenant (or Revenants) of the week, who each have their own special powers and reasons for wanting revenge. She is the only one who can stop them, using Wyatt's old Colt, called Peacemaker, which sends the Revenants back down to Hell.
The storyline that runs throughout the whole season is about Wynonna and her younger sister, Waverly. Waverly has dedicated her life to researching the Earp curse, despite the fact that she is not the heir and therefore cannot wield Peacemaker or kill the Revenants. Although this sometimes put her at odds with Wynonna, the overarching theme of the series is the relationship between the two sisters, one who happens to have a kind of magic power, as they learn rely on the strength of the other, coming together as a family.
13. Mythology of the Old West
If you're a fan of the Wild West, then there's something on Wynonna Earp for you too. The show deals with the mythology of the legendary, real-life gunslinger, Wyatt Earp (played here by Ryan Northcott). Wyatt was a lawman who was known for his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, where he was the only one to walk away without an injury. Also present at the O.K. Corral was Wyatt's good friend John Henry "Doc" Holliday (who was actually a dentist).
In real life, Doc Holliday died after a battle with tuberculosis in 1887. However, the show finds him alive and well over 100 years after his supposed death. As in real life, Doc's story is intertwined with the Earps and he is drawn into Wynonna's battle against the Revenants. He also has his own agenda; a desire for revenge against the witch who cursed him with eternal life.
While the show does draw from some historic characters, there are obviously a few creative liberties taken. Still, if you are a fan of charming sharp-shooters from the 1880s who are still confused by cars, then you'll love Doc Holliday (and his glorious mustache).
12. Stylized Visuals
Not many shows look like Wynonna Earp. It has a distinct visual style, which is helped a lot by the fact that it is filmed in many real locations in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The vast snowy landscapes paired with the small town feel give the show its character. And Purgatory is no ordinary town either. Like the name might suggest, both Revenants and people are literally trapped there, making the quaint buildings and winter wonderland menacing at times. Plus, the Canadian setting gives the old Western feeling of the show a fresh twist, since it isn't exactly the American Midwest most viewers are used to seeing.
Andras has also promised that there is a lot more to Purgatory that viewers will get to see in the second season. The Ghost River Triangle is not just the area in town where all the Revenants are trapped (as seen in season one), but home to all kinds of supernatural creatures yet to be explored. There has also been talk of the characters venturing into more urban environments and seeing how they handle themselves in the city, as opposed to the Great Outdoors.
11. No Lingering On Love Triangles
With a female lead and two male deuteragonists, Wynonna Earp could easily venture into love triangle territory. However, the show does a good job of showing Wynonna's relationships with both Doc Holliday and Agent Xavier Dolls (Shamier Anderson) in a way that makes sense for three adults (who just happen to spend their spare time hunting demons). These are all characters with big egos and personalities. They don't necessarily get along, but they need each other and much of the show's funny moments come from their interactions- especially between the two men.
Of course there is some jealousy, which is natural. But overall the focus of the show is not about which suitor Wynonna will choose. There is much more at stake than Wynonna's love life. She is a character who doesn't need (or want) men fighting over her. Doc and Dolls are both right for Wynonna in different ways, but both are also hiding secrets in their pasts which complicate things.
10. Rocking Soundtrack
Right from the opening credits you can already tell Wynonna Earp is going to rock. The show begins with splashy credit sequence set to Jill Scott's "Tell that Devil" which captures its girl-powered-supernatural-element-fighting nature. It's a distinctly contemporary song that still manages to fit in with the overall Western feeling.
The whole first season features an eclectic mix of new and old folk, rock, and indie music from familiar bands such as Civil Twilight and lesser-known singers like Jeen. There is also a score from Robert Carli and Peter Chapman that adds suspense and atmosphere to the show's more tense moments.
Like the Calgary location, the music is just another element that helps establish the tone for the show. There really is nothing like Wynonna Earp on TV. The music is part of this immersive experience that brings the viewer into the world of Purgatory. Plus, the tunes used are darn catchy and great to listen to long after the show ends.
9. Fighting (Literal) Demons
The demons on Wynonna Earp are both literal and figurative. While Wynonna does have to fight actual demons in the form of the 77 people killed by Wyatt, she and the other characters are also facing demons of a different kind. They are all damaged in some way and many are running from their pasts.
Wynonna is dealing with the fact that she was never meant to be the Earp heir. That title belonged to her older sister Willa, who was trained for the role at a young age. However, when both Willa and their father Ward are killed, it falls on Wynonna to take up the family business. Wynonna has been stuck with a legacy that was never meant to belong to her. She is facing the pressure of not only killing the real monsters, but also the doubt that she has about her place in the Earp family.
So while there's (almost) always someone to shoot with Peacemaker, many of the threats the characters face are of their own making. Wynonna is an interesting heroine because she is afraid to embrace her destiny. She is fighting forces from both inside herself and out. And she is not the only one. Doc, Doll, and Waverly all have their own inner demons to face in order to grow throughout the season (and to stop the real Revenants from killing them all).
8. Old-School Action & Adventure
Wynonna Earp is essentially a Western with a twist. The show has all of the classic elements that make Westerns so much fun to watch: a small town, an outside threat, a lone hero who fights on their own , and lots of leather and cowboy hats. Wynonna is basically a cowboy, complete with her own code for revenge that doesn't always exist inside of the law. There is a sense of adventure that goes along with this cowboy spirit. There's always some new mystery to uncover or a new (potentially haunted) part of Purgatory to explore. The show is a fun escape into a world that is both familiar and new.
Another great part of any Western is the action. Wynonna Earp has action scenes that can rival any superhero show currently on TV. There are shoot-outs and gunfights and bar brawls, even a secret underground fight club. The fight scenes are enjoyable to watch, especially when Wynonna gets a verbal jab in alongside a real one. There's a lively energy to the show that keeps things exciting.
7. Compelling Villains
When your show's Big Bad is named Bobo Del Rey he'd better be terrifying if you want viewers to take him seriously as a villain. Luckily, Michael Eklund is wonderful as Bobo, combining just the right amounts of charm, evilness, and cunning. He's terrifying because you don't know just what he'll do next. Eklund makes Bobo an interesting villain to follow throughout the entire season by always keeping the viewer guessing about his allegiances. The costume department also has to be praised here for the fur jacket that helps give Bobo his swagger. He is a compelling character who demands attention anytime he is on screen.
While most of the Revenants are merely villains of the week, they are all interesting in their own ways. They each have their own history and powers - everything from the ability to move through mirrors to hypnotic sexual attraction (really). There is also the deliciously evil Constance Clootie (Rayisa Kondracki), who has connections to Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Bobo. It is always great to see a female villain, especially one who has power over some of Purgatory's most nefarious characters.
6. WayHaught
Shipping is always dangerous on shows. Wanting two characters to be together does not always go the way the fans plan, especially if the writers have other ideas. However, the WayHaught ship has completely taken over Wynonna Earp in the best way possible. "WayHaught" is comprised of Waverly Earp and Officer Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell). The two women have won over fans with their charming and honest relationship, especially in regards to Waverly's journey to discover her sexuality. The two actresses do a wonderful job portraying this storyline in a way that feels authentic and nuanced.
It should also be noted that fans going into this show featuring a romance between two women should not be afraid of the "Bury Your Gays" trope that has plagued television. Many shows have been criticized for killing off their lesbian and gay characters, especially to further the storylines of straight protagonists. When Andras saw how much WayHaught meant to viewers, she made it a point to promise that both Waverly and Nicole would make it through the first season alive. It is such a welcome change to see a show that cares so much about its fans and has a commitment to telling diverse stories.