Winterthorne

Miranda is the cold, ruthless head of the Winterthorne candy empire. Her marriage is in shambles, she is estranged from her son and their lives are all in danger. But it was not always this way. A decade earlier, naive Miranda's eyes were opened to her family's best kept secrets, and their violent treachery. Her only means to secure the survival of her loved ones and her livelihood has been to embrace the dark, cruel and murderous heart of a Winterthorne.

File:Winterthorne splash (2015).jpg

• Martha Madison as Miranda Winterthorne
• Michael Caruso as Victor Winterthorne, Miranda's husband
• Gordon Thomson as Maxmillian Winterthorne, Miranda's father
• Josh Thrower as Colin Winterthorne, Miranda and Victor's son
• Kevin Spirtas as Dominic Delacort, the trainer of Winterthorne men
• John-Paul Lavoisier as Hugh Cambridge, Miranda's former fiancé

• Linda Gray as Joanna Winterthorne, Miranda's mother
• Kathleen Gati as Valentina Winterthorne, Miranda's aunt and Joanna's sister
• Kirsten Storms as Selene Winterthorne, Miranda's sister
• Ron Hanks as Jelly Bean Jim, Dominic's son
• Conrad Bluth as Young Colin

Taking place over a 10-year time span, the first season of Winterthorne chronicles the rise of Miranda as the leader of the Winterthorne candy dynasty, with "a modern storyline that runs parallel with flashbacks".{{cite web|url=http://buzzworthyradiocast.com/?p=1886|title=Podcast #593: Michael Caruso of Winterthorne |work=The Buzz |publisher=Buzzworthy Radio |first=NaVell |last=Lee |date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2015}} Jamey Giddens of Daytime Confidential described the series as "a story about smartly-dressed, witch-like beings who use 'nature' to create candy so addictive it leads to a multi-million dollar empire and men groveling at their feet".{{cite web|url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/08/28/glamour-and-mythology-mix-for-soapy-confection-in-winterthorne-review |title=Glamour and Mythology Mix For Soapy Confection in Winterthorne |first=Jamey |last=Giddens |date=August 28, 2015 |work=Daytime Confidential |access-date=September 24, 2015}} Of the candy empire concept, Caruso said, "I thought it would be fun to take something very innocent and happy on the surface and add a very dark undercurrent to it, and kind of create a family that used something like this as a front for something much deeper and scarier."{{cite web |url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2015/08/michael-caruso-winterthorne-interview.html |title=Exclusive Interview: Michael Caruso Previews His Highly-Anticipated Drama Winterthorne |first=Roger |last=Newcomb |work=We Love Soaps |date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}} He noted, "There is something in the candy, and that’s really the core of this show." Caruso added:

{{Blockquote|The other switcharoo that we did ... is that this is a family that is run by women. Women have complete control and power in this mini-micro world. In typical television, we see the men run the family, and the women being nurturing and supportive. We flipped all of that. The women are in power, and the men stay at home and take care of the kids. This is a way of kind of celebrating the power of women, and being able to show the many layers of what they are capable of doing."}}

Setting up the first season, Caruso explained that the Winterthorne family has "reached a crossroads ... Martha's complicated character, Miranda, is taking over, and we'll see over the course of four episodes where she started from and some of the good and not-so-good choices she's made in order to control her family."{{Cite web |url=http://cbs.soapsindepth.com/2015/07/welcome-to-candy-land.html |title=Welcome to Candy Land |work=CBS Soaps in Depth |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}

Having previously created the web soap DeVanity (2011–14), Caruso announced Winterthorne in November 2014, describing the series as "a classic soap with light touches of gothic whimsy" that would be "dark, sexy, glamorous, and a visual feast".{{cite web |url=http://tvsourcemagazine.com/2014/11/devanity-creator-returns-new-sweet-saga-winterthorne/ |title=DeVanity Creator Returns with New Sweet Saga Winterthorne |first=Jenn |last=Bishop |website=TVSource Magazine |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=September 17, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://buzzworthyradiocast.com/?p=1376 |title=DeVanity Creator Michael Caruso Returns to the Web with Winterthorne |first=NaVell |last=Lee |work=The Buzz |publisher=Buzzworthy Radio |date=November 17, 2014 |access-date=September 17, 2015}} Madison had been cast in the lead role of Miranda Winterthorne, ruthless leader of a candy empire, with Thomson as Miranda's father Maxmillian and Caruso himself set to play her husband Victor. With production scheduled to begin in Spring 2015, Caruso also announced the addition of director Sonia Blangiardo, who had previously won a Daytime Emmy Award as a director for As the World Turns and another as a producer for One Life to Live.

In February 2015, it was announced that Gray had been cast as Miranda's mother, Joanna Winterthorne.{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/linda-gray-joins-winterthorne|title=Linda Gray Joins Winterthorne |work=Soap Opera Digest |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/dallas-star-linda-gray-joins-the-cast-of-winterthorne/2015/02/12/|title=Dallas Star Linda Gray Joins the Cast of Winterthorne!|first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/soapcentral/news/2015/0212-winterthorne_gray.php|title=Dallas Icon Linda Gray joins Winterthorne|work=Soapcentral |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015 |first=Kambra |last=Clifford}}{{cite web|url=http://www.serialscoop.com/2015/02/winterthorne-linda-gray.html|title=Dallas Actress Linda Gray Will Guest Star on Michael Caruso's Upcoming Must-See Drama Winterthorne|first=David |last=Miller|work=Serial Scoop |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://tvsourcemagazine.com/2015/02/dallas-star-linda-gray-joins-cast-winterthorne/|title=Dallas star Linda Gray joins cast of Winterthorne|work=TVSource Magazine |date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} Caruso said of Gray, "Her character is so important, and really sets everything in motion for, not only the season, but the rest of the series." He noted, "Linda has a warmth and strength that embodies Joanna ... [I] wrote this part specifically for her."{{cite web|url=http://cbs.soapsindepth.com/2015/02/bb-alum-joins-web-soap-winterthorne.html|title=B&B Alum Joins Web Soap Winterthorne! |work=CBS Soaps In Depth |date=February 13, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} Next cast were Gati as Joanna's power-hungry sister Valentina,{{cite web |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/02/24/michael-carusos-imagination-kathleen-gatis-brilliance-must-see-winterthorne |title=DeVanity{{'s}} Michael Caruso and GH{{'s}} Kathleen Gati to Make Soap Magic on Winterthorne |first=Luke |last=Kerr |work=Daytime Confidential |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} and Storms as Miranda's estranged sister Selene.{{Cite web |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/03/02/omg-general-hospitals-kirsten-storms-joins-winterthorne |title=A Tale of Two Belles: Kirsten Storms to Play Martha Madison's Sister on Winterthorne! |first=Luke |last=Kerr |work=Daytime Confidential |date=March 2, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} Spirtas and Lavoisier were later added to the cast as Hugh Cambridge and Dominic Delacort respectively,{{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/john-paul-lavoisier-and-kevin-spirtas-join-the-cast-of-winterthorne/2015/03/05/|title=John-Paul Lavoisier and Kevin Spirtas Join the Cast of Winterthorne!|first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=March 5, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/oltl/news/2015/0308-lavoisier_winterthorne.php|title=Winterthorne casts John-Paul Lavoisier and Kevin Spirtas |first=Kambra |last=Clifford |work=Soapcentral |date=March 8, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2015}} and Ron Hanks as Jelly Bean Jim.{{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/winterthone-bows-with-first-episode-starring-martha-madison-linda-gray-michael-caruso/2015/08/27/ |title=Winterthorne Bows With First Episode Starring Martha Madison, Linda Gray & Michael Caruso! |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}

An April 2015 Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign partially funded season 1 of Winterthorne.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/winterthorne#/story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917215738/https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/winterthorne#/story |title=Winterthorne Season 1 |publisher=Indiegogo |date=April 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 17, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}} The series is executive produced by Caruso and his wife Barbara "Barbi" Caruso, with Steve Silverman of Suchagooddog LLC,{{cite web |url=http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Springs-Life/Desert-Guide/August-2015/Winterthorne-Uses-Idyllwild-Backdrop-for-New-Web-Based-Series/ |title=Winterthorne Uses Idyllwild Backdrop for New Web-Based Series |first=Michelle |last=Roe |work=Palm Springs Life |date=August 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}} Jim Cannella and Martha Madison as co-executive producers. The series began a three-week production schedule in late March 2015 in the Los Angeles area. Some of Winterthorne was shot on location in Idyllwild (near Palm Springs, California).

{{Episode table |background=#6495ED |overall=10 |title=25 |director=15 |writer=15 |airdate=15 |aux4=10 |aux4T=Length |total_width=100 |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Part I

|DirectedBy = Sonia Blangiardo

|WrittenBy = Michael Caruso

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|08|27}}

|Aux4 = 24:43

|ShortSummary = Icy Miranda controls the Winterthorne candy empire with an iron fist. But she was not always a cold bitch; there was a time when she chose Victor, the servant she loved, over the dashing Hugh, who had been groomed to be her husband. Miranda and Victor's life together was a wonderful one, until their son Colin turned 16. Miranda's mother Joanna had warned her that Miranda's self-indulgent aunts were presenting themselves as a dangerous threat, and Joanna sacrificed herself to give Miranda time to prepare. Now, after having made dark choices, ruthless Miranda's marriage is in shambles and she is estranged from her son, but she is ready to face her enemies.

|LineColor = 6495ED

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Part II

|DirectedBy = Sonia Blangiardo

|WrittenBy = Michael Caruso

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|09|04}}

|Aux4 = 27:38

|ShortSummary = Victor is both excited and worried about Colin's return. Meanwhile, Miranda remembers her confrontation years before with her aunt Valentina, who had revealed much of their family's past but then attempted to kill a naive Miranda. Maxmillian had strangled Valentina with red licorice, and advised Miranda that they make her into candy to be sent to the rest of the family as a warning. Sometime later, Miranda had fled into the woods, finding sanctuary with Dominic Delacort.

|LineColor = 6495ED

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Part III

|DirectedBy = Sonia Blangiardo

|WrittenBy = Michael Caruso

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|09|11}}

|Aux4 = 27:33

|ShortSummary = After a fiery reunion, Miranda tells Colin how Valentina's daughters had retaliated, in search of the priceless winterthorne seeds: Maxmillian had been imprisoned and starved, Victor had been tortured and Miranda had been chased into the woods. Telling Miranda that her father and husband were dead, Dominic had drugged her to erase her memories, and used Hugh to manipulate her into relinquishing the seeds. Turning the tables on Dominic, Miranda had learned the secret of natural winterthorne: it slows aging.

|LineColor = 6495ED

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = Part IV

|DirectedBy = Sonia Blangiardo

|WrittenBy = Michael Caruso

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|09|18}}

|Aux4 = 19:05

|ShortSummary = In the past, a vengeful Miranda had confronted Hugh in search of the seeds, and ended up stabbing him to death with a lollipop stick. She then planted the seeds in the woods, and awoke to find full grown plants. In present day, Colin decides to rejoin the family. Miranda's sister Selene reappears, sent with an offer from their aunt Corinne: in exchange for the winterthorne, Corinne will promise peace, and a cure for Victor's crippled hands. Miranda agrees, but then chokes her sister to death with a winterthorne-covered peppermint stick instead. Miranda intends to send Selene's severed head to Corinne, and is ready to face whatever retribution her remaining aunts have in store. In the woods, a hand pulls a winterthorne plant out of the ground.

|LineColor = 6495ED

}}

}}

A trailer for Winterthorne was released May 2015,{{cite web |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/05/22/winterthorne-trailer-debut |title=Winterthorne Debuts Epic First Trailer |first=Luke |last=Kerr |work=Daytime Confidential |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/watch-the-winterthorne-first-trailer-where-candy-and-drama-come-together/2015/05/22/ |title=Watch The Winterthorne First Trailer … Where Candy and Drama Come Together! |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=May 22, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015 |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906123143/http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/watch-the-winterthorne-first-trailer-where-candy-and-drama-come-together/2015/05/22/ |url-status=dead }} with an extended version following in July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/winterthorne-trailer-released-0|title=Winterthorne Trailer Released |work=Soap Opera Digest |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2015/07/Winterthorne-extended-trailer.html|title=Winterthorne Premieres One Month From Today, Show Releases New Extended Trailer|work=We Love Soaps |first=Roger |last=Newcomb |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/soapcentral/news/2015/0727-winterthorne_trailer.php|title=Winterthorne extended trailer revealed |work=Soapcentral |first=Kambra |last=Clifford |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} The series had a red carpet premiere at the Renberg Theater in Los Angeles on August 16, 2015. Billed as a "four-part online event", the series debuted at Winterthorne.com on August 27, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2015/08/watch-premiere-of-michael-carusos.html |title=Watch the Premiere of Michael Caruso's Winterthorne |first=Kevin |last=Mulcahy, Jr. |work=We Love Soaps |date=August 27, 2015 |access-date=September 17, 2015}} The remaining three episodes of season 1 were released weekly on Fridays, starting September 4, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/09/09/kathleen-gati-kevin-spirtas-in-winterthorne |title=Watch Kathleen Gati and Kevin Spirtas in Winterthorne Episode 2 |work=Daytime Confidential |first=Luke |last=Kerr |date=September 9, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/09/16/mirandas-got-a-gun-winterthorne |title=Miranda's Got a Gun in Episode 3 of Winterthorne |first=Luke |last=Kerr |work=Daytime Confidential |date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 18, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://tvsourcemagazine.com/2015/09/winterthorne-hands-just-desserts-episode-four/ |title=Winterthorne Hands Out Just Desserts In Episode Four |first=Jenn |last=Bishop |work=TVSource Magazine |date=September 18, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2015/09/this-is-gonna-hurt-secrets-are-revealed.html|title=This Is Gonna Hurt! Secrets Are Revealed On The Latest Episode Of Winterthorne |first=Kevin |last=Mulcahy Jr.|work=We Love Soaps |date=September 16, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}

In May 2015, Luke Kerr of Daytime Confidential wrote that the initial preview trailer featured "big screen production values (we expect nothing less from Caruso & Co.), fantastic fashion, epic drama and a drizzle of Pushing Daisies-style mythology". Calling the series "highly anticipated", Michael Fairman noted, "The sweeping epic look, and the fantastical images and costumes have become staples of Caruso’s work, and this series looks to be where all those production values come together in the most spectacular way." Daytime Confidential{{'s}} Jamey Giddens wrote of the extended trailer, "My blood sugar has gone straight through the stratosphere after just a sampling of the delicious, high calorie confections creator and star Michael Caruso (DeVanity) is offering up in his new soap opera Winterthorne."{{cite web|url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/07/27/watch-the-winterthorne-extended-trailer |title=Watch Martha Madison, Kirsten Storms and More In The Candy-Coated Extended Winterthorne Trailer! |work=Daytime Confidential |first=Jamey |last=Giddens |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=September 23, 2015}} Giddens later wrote of the first episode, "Produced on a shoe-string budget, Winterthorne boasts cinematography, establishing shots, scene and wardrobe design that puts every current daytime soap airing to shame, with the exception of The Bold and the Beautiful. Winterthorne also brings it where it matters most to soap fans—in the story department." Kevin Mulcahy Jr. of We Love Soaps wrote of episode two, "A compelling script, beautiful scenery, gorgeous clothes and soap stars galore make for fun viewing on any screen. But beware of deadly licorice!"{{cite web|url=http://www.welovesoaps.net/2015/09/winterthorne-part-2-gati-spirtas.html|title=Kathleen Gati and Kevin Spirtas Guest Star in This Week's Episode of Winterthorne |first=Kevin |last=Mulcahy Jr. |date=September 5, 2015 |work=We Love Soaps}}

In 2016, Winterthorne received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series.{{cite web |url=http://emmyonline.com/day_43rd_nominations |title=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy® Award Nominations |publisher=National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences |date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2016 |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211193508/http://emmyonline.com/day_43rd_nominations |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/daytime-emmy-nominations-young-and-the-restless-tv-pop-1201738398/ |title=Young & Restless Leads Daytime Emmy Noms But Ceremony Won't Be on TV |work=Variety |date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=March 24, 2016}} Kathleen Gati was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her portrayal of Valentina Winterthorne, and Kevin Spirtas was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for playing Dominic Delacort.

The series received a record-tying 13 Indie Series Award nominations, and won three.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.winterthorne.com/}}
• {{Facebook|winterthorneseries|Winterthorne}}
• {{IMDb title|4210888}}

;Media

• {{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/video-interview-john-paul-lavoisier-previews-his-role-in-winterthorne-his-upcoming-debut-as-days-new-phillip-kiriakis/2015/08/25/|title=Video Interview: John-Paul Lavoisier Previews His Role In Winterthorne |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=August 25, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}
• {{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/video-interview-martha-madison-previews-her-role-in-winterthorne-the-return-of-days-belle/2015/08/25/|title=Video Interview: Martha Madison Previews Her Role In Winterthorne |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=August 25, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}
• {{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/video-interview-linda-gray-talks-winterthorne-experience-previews-her-new-memoir-if-she-would-want-to-play-dallas-sue-ellen-ewing-again/2015/08/25/|title=Video Interview: Linda Gray Talks Winterthorne Experience |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=August 25, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}
• {{cite web|url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/video-interviews-kathleen-gati-gordon-thomson-michael-caruso-preview-winterthorne/2015/08/26/|title=Video Interviews: Kathleen Gati, Gordon Thomson & Michael Caruso Preview Winterthorne! |first=Michael |last=Fairman |work=On-Air On-Soaps |date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015}}
• {{cite podcast|url=http://krollcall.com/2015/08/22/winterthorne-premiere-party-with-martha-madison-john-paul-lavoisier-gordon-thomson-and-michael-caruso-august-28-2015/|title=Winterthorne Premiere Party with Martha Madison, John Paul Lavoisier, Gordon Thomson, and Michael Caruso |host=Kroll, Dan J. |date=August 28, 2015|website=Kroll Call |access-date=September 25, 2015}}
• {{cite podcast |url=http://daytimeconfidential.com/2015/09/03/daytime-confidential-podcast-804-winterthorne-michael-caruso-martha-madison |title=DC #804: A Trip to Winterthorne With Michael Caruso & Martha Madison |first1=Luke |last1=Kerr |first2=Jamey |last2=Giddens |date=September 3, 2015 |work=Daytime Confidential |access-date=September 24, 2015}}
• {{cite podcast|url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/littany/2015/09/19/candy-land-chatting-all-things-winterthorne-with-michael-caruso|title=Candy Land: Chatting all things Winterthorne with Michael Caruso!|date=September 19, 2015 |access-date=September 25, 2015 |publisher=BlogTalkRadio}}

{{US daytime soaps}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Winterthorne}}

Category:2015 web series debuts

Category:2015 web series endings

Category:2010s American drama television series

Category:American drama web series

Category:Internet soap operas