V Wars

{{short description|2019 American science fiction horror streaming television series}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Title screen for V Wars.png

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| based_on = {{based on|V Wars|Jonathan Maberry}}

| starring = {{ubl|Ian Somerhalder|Adrian Holmes|Laura Vandervoort|Kimberly Sue-Murray|Sydney Meyer|Kandyse McClure|Michael Greyeyes||Jacky Lai|Kyle Breitkopf|Peter Outerbridge}}

| theme_music_composer = Andrew Lockington

| composer = Michael White

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 1

| num_episodes = 10

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = {{ubl|William Laurin|Glenn Davis|Brad Turner|Eric Birnberg|Thomas Walden|James Gibb|Ian Somerhalder|Lydia Antonini|Matthew McCluggage|Paul Harb|Ted Adams|Jonathan Maberry}}

| producer = Thomas Vencelides

| location =

| cinematography = Craig Wright

| editor = {{ubl|Geoff Ashenhurst|Paul Day|Dave Thompson|Paul Whitehead}}

| camera = Single-camera

| runtime = 37–57 minutes

| company = {{Plainlist|

High Park Entertainment
IDW Entertainment
Marada Pictures

}}

| released = {{Start date|2019|12|5}}

| alt =

| 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/02/ian-somerhalder-netflix-v-wars-interview/|title=Why Ian Somerhalder returned to the world of vampires for Netflix's V Wars|last=Bucksbaum|first=Sydney|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203154912/https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/02/ian-somerhalder-netflix-v-wars-interview/|url-status=live}} The outbreak is caused by an ancient biological infectious agent, a prion, that turns humans into vampires,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2485975/ian-somerhalders-v-wars-5-reasons-why-the-vampire-diaries-fans-will-enjoy-the-new-netflix-show|title=Ian Somerhalder's V Wars: 5 Reasons Why The Vampire Diaries Fans Will Enjoy The New Netflix Show|date=2019-12-05|website=CINEMABLEND|access-date=2019-12-19|archive-date=2019-12-19|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} released from ice by climate change.{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/12/8997396/v-wars-netflix-episode-10-recap-calix-vampire-michael-dead|title=V Wars' Entire Nefarious Finale Twist, Explained|last=Romero|first=Ariana|website=www.refinery29.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-19|archive-date=2019-12-29|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

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 =

Ian Somerhalder as Dr. Luther Swann
Adrian Holmes as Michael Fayne
Laura Vandervoort as Mila Dubov
Kimberly-Sue Murray as Danika Dubov
Sydney Meyer as Ava O'Malley
Michael Greyeyes as Jimmy Saint
Jacky Lai as Kaylee Vo
Kyle Breitkopf as Desmond "Dez" Swann
Peter Outerbridge as Calix Niklos
Kandyse McClure as Claire O'Hagan

=Recurring=

Emmanuel Kabongo as Jack Fields
Jessica Harmon as Jess Swann
Greg Bryk as Bobby
Teddy Moynihan as Jergen Weber
Ted Atherton as Elegabulus
Jonathan Higgins as General Aldous May
Samantha Liana Cole as Theresa
Laura de Carteret as Senator Sasha Giroux
Bo Martyn as Detective Elysse Chambers
Nikki Reed as Rachel Swann

Episodes

{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR= |country=US |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Down with the Sickness

|DirectedBy = Brad Turner

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Blood Brothers

|DirectedBy = Brad Turner

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Because I Could Not Stop for Death

|DirectedBy = T.J. Scott

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Bad as Me

|DirectedBy = T.J. Scott

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Cold Cold Ground

|DirectedBy = Kaare Andrews

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = It's Not Enough to Have Lived

|DirectedBy = Marita Grabiak

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = The Night Is Darkening Round Me

|DirectedBy = Bobby Roth

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Red Rain

|DirectedBy = Brad Turner

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = The Junkie Run of the Predator Gene

|DirectedBy = Ian Somerhalder

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Bloody but Unbow'd

|DirectedBy = Brad Turner

|WrittenBy = Glenn Davis & William Laurin

|OriginalAirDate = {{start date|2019|12|5}}

|ShortSummary =

|LineColor = 000

}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/netflix-cancels-v-wars-october-faction-after-one-season/|title=Netflix Cancels 'V-Wars' and 'October Faction' After 1 Season|last=Sippell|first=Margeaux|work=The Wrap|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2020|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628134925/https://www.thewrap.com/netflix-cancels-v-wars-october-faction-after-one-season/|url-status=live}}

= Casting =

In April 2018, Ian Somerhalder was cast in the role of Dr. Luther Swann.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/netflix-orders-vampire-drama-series-v-wars-ian-somerhalder-1202363947/|title=Netflix Orders Vampire Drama Series 'V-Wars' Based On Book; Ian Somerhalder To Star|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2019|archive-date=January 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112231243/https://deadline.com/2018/04/netflix-orders-vampire-drama-series-v-wars-ian-somerhalder-1202363947/|url-status=live}} In June 2018, Adrian Holmes, Jacky Lai and Peter Outerbridge joined the main cast.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-adrian-holmes-jacky-lai-netflix-vampire-drama-series-1202401737/|title='V-Wars': Adrian Holmes To Co-Star, Jacky Lai Cast In Netflix Vampire Drama Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=July 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713183616/https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-adrian-holmes-jacky-lai-netflix-vampire-drama-series-1202401737/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-peter-outerbridge-netflix-vampire-drama-series-regular-ian-somerhalder-1202410480/|title='V-Wars': Peter Outerbridge Joins Netflix Vampire Drama As Series Regular|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=July 18, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=December 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231161251/https://deadline.com/2018/06/v-wars-peter-outerbridge-netflix-vampire-drama-series-regular-ian-somerhalder-1202410480/|url-status=live}} In July 2018, Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf and Kimberly-Sue Murray were cast in the series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/v-wars-laura-vandervoort-kyle-breitkopf-kimberly-sue-murray-netflix-vampire-drama-series-cast-1202428098/|title='V-Wars': Laura Vandervoort, Kyle Breitkopf & Kimberly-Sue Murray Join Netflix Vampire Drama Series|first=Denise|last=Petski|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=July 18, 2018|archive-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}

= Filming =

Principal photography began in Sudbury and Cambridge, Ontario in the end of June 2018.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/filming-netflix-vwars-graphic-novel-comic-series-1.4760422|title=New Netflix series being shot in Sudbury highlights busy summer of filming|first=Benjamin|last=Aubé|work=CBC Northern Ontario|date=July 25, 2018|access-date=August 24, 2019|archive-date=August 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823182915/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/filming-netflix-vwars-graphic-novel-comic-series-1.4760422|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2018/04/17/netflix-commissions-v-wars/|title=Netflix commissions V-Wars|last=Pinto|first=Jordan|work=Playback|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=June 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625015306/http://playbackonline.ca/2018/04/17/netflix-commissions-v-wars/|url-status=live}} Principal photography wrapped in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/galt-s-main-street-bridge-closed-for-filming-of-netflix-series-1.4870367|title=Galt's Main Street Bridge closed for filming of Netflix series|work=CBC Northern Ontario|date=October 19, 2019|access-date=July 13, 2019|archive-date=March 26, 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

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}}){{cite web |url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1402840 |title=Title: V Wars |access-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=Internet Speculative Fiction Database |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718070706/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1402840 |url-status=live }}
V Wars: Blood and Fire (July 2014, {{isbn|978-1-63140-027-8}}){{cite web |url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1733064 |title=Title: V Wars: Blood and Fire |access-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=Internet Speculative Fiction Database |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718075334/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1733064 |url-status=live }}
V Wars: Night Terrors (March 2015, {{isbn|978-1-63140-272-2}}){{cite web |url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1816331 |title=Title: V Wars: Night Terrors |access-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=Internet Speculative Fiction Database |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718072326/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1816331 |url-status=live }}
V Wars: Shockwaves (August 2016, {{isbn| 978-1-63140-640-9}}){{cite web |url=http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2777950 |title=Title: V Wars: Shockwaves |access-date=September 24, 2020 |publisher=Internet Speculative Fiction Database |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627074354/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?2777950 |url-status=live }}

= 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.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3594740/trailer-netflix-unleashes-vampire-epidemic-new-original-horror-series-v-wars/|title=[Trailer] Netflix Unleashes a Vampire Epidemic With New Horror Series "V Wars"|last=Squires|first=John|work=Bloody Disgusting|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=November 20, 2019|archive-date=December 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221172140/https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3594740/trailer-netflix-unleashes-vampire-epidemic-new-original-horror-series-v-wars/|url-status=live}} The series was released on December 5, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/10/30/v-wars-season-1-premiere-date-netflix-ian-somerhalder-vampire-drama/|title=Ian Somerhalder's Netflix Vamp Drama V Wars Sets Premiere — View Photos|work=TVLine|first=Vlada|last=Gelman|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217071157/https://tvline.com/2019/10/30/v-wars-season-1-premiere-date-netflix-ian-somerhalder-vampire-drama/|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/v_wars/s01|title=V Wars: Season 1 (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=March 31, 2020}}{{cbignore}} Isaac Feldberg at The Boston Globe enjoyed it, calling it "unabashedly silly...a fun, freaky B-movie stretched out to series’ length".{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/06/arts/return-ian-somerhalder-thanks-v-wars/ |title=The return of Ian Somerhalder, thanks to 'V-Wars' |date=December 5, 2019 |first=Isaac |last=Feldberg |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924165118/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/06/arts/return-ian-somerhalder-thanks-v-wars/ |url-status=live }} The Sydney Morning Herald reviewer, Brad Newsome, was less kind in calling it a "a frustrating thing" that doesn't deliver on its promises.{{cite web |url=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 |title=If you like absurd and crass humour, then this is the show for you |first=Brad |last=Newsome |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=December 18, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/v-wars-season-1 |title=V-Wars Season 1 |first=Andrew |last=Dex |work=Starburst |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171041/https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/v-wars-season-1 |url-status=live }}

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".{{cite web |url=https://www.filminquiry.com/v-wars-season-1/ |title=V-WARS Season 1: A Mediocre Induction Into Vampirism |first=Stephanie |last=Archer |work=Film Inquiry |date=January 2, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924171932/https://www.filminquiry.com/v-wars-season-1/ |url-status=live }} 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".{{cite web |url=https://indiancountrytoday.com/lifestyle/nativenerd-reviews-frozen-2-v-wars-marriage-story-jumanji-2-and-more-baby-yoda-nR4Ktnui9UaaTgc5eUmT4Q |title=#NativeNerd reviews: Frozen 2, V-Wars, Marriage Story, Jumanji 2 and more Baby Yoda |first=Vincent |last=Schilling |work=Indian Country Today |date=December 13, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} Dustin Rowles at Pajiba described the series as "very low-rent", "poorly written", and "humorless".{{cite web |url=https://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/stream-it-or-nah-netflixs-vwars-is-straight-trash.php |title=Stream It Or Nah: Netflix's 'V-Wars' Is Straight Trash |first=Dustin |last=Rowles |work=Pajiba |date=December 6, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223021235/https://www.pajiba.com/tv_reviews/stream-it-or-nah-netflixs-vwars-is-straight-trash.php |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite web |last=Zorrilla |first=Mikel |date=December 6, 2019 |title='V Wars': la serie de vampiros de Ian Somerhalder en Netflix no termina de hincar el diente a sus interesantes ideas |trans-title=V Wars': Ian Somerhalder's vampire series on Netflix does not finish sinking its teeth into his interesting ideas |url=https://www.espinof.com/criticas/v-wars-serie-vampiros-ian-somerhalder-netflix-no-termina-hincarle-diente-a-sus-interesantes-ideas |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |work=Espinof |language=es}} 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".{{cite web |url=https://whatculture.com/tv/v-wars-review-5-ups-3-downs |title=V Wars Review: 5 Ups & 3 Downs |work=WhatCulture |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223042114/http://whatculture.com/tv/v-wars-review-5-ups-3-downs |url-status=live }}