WonderCon 2016: Wynonna Earp Cast and Creators Q&A
When new TV shows make it onto our radar, there are a lot of key questions that cross our minds. Most important of those are: “Is it something that will interest me?” and “Is it going to be any good?”
During this past weekend’s WonderCon 2016, we spoke with the cast and creators of the new Syfy series “Wynonna Earp” to try to answer some of those questions.
Based on a comic series of the same name published by IDW, “Wynonna Earp” is the story of a young woman descended from the famous gunslinger Wyatt Earp. Wynonna and her family have been cursed since the time great granddaddy Wyatt took down a bunch of outlaws. They’ve revived in the form of demons, and they’re none too happy to find the Earp line still alive and well. Using Wyatt’s peacemaker gun, Wynonna battles the demons to protect her hometown and family.
Speaking with the show’s executive producer, Emily Andras, we learned more about “Wynonna” and what to expect from the show.
Emily: “Wynonna Earp” is like “Buffy” meets “Justified.” It’s okay that we can see the zipper in the back of a monster’s suit because we’re more invested in these characters. Character development is always more important than the budget you have to work with.
Character and comic creator Beau Smith lent truth to Emily’s statement of taking care with the characters and story.
Beau: There were a lot of times in the making of this show that I’d think to myself, “Why didn’t I write that?” That’s the best compliment a writer can give to another. Emily and her team have done a great job taking the story I created and making it even better; I can’t say that enough.
He went on to explain a little bit about the origins of “Wynonna Earp.”
Beau: Some of my biggest inspirations for “Wynonna” were the old western films Tombstone and Silverado. Tombstone was all about family and loyalty. All of my buddies say that Silverado is a girlie western, but it really had that sense of loyalty that was important in westerns. That was what inspired the importance of loyalty and family in Wynonna Earp.
Tim Rozon, the actor playing Doc Holliday in the show, had a lot to say about the western aspects of the show.
Tim: The western parts of the show were where I felt most at home. This is the era that Doc is from. It’s the modern parts that are tough. Give Doc a cellphone, and he won’t know what to do with it. But put a gun in his hand, and he’s right where he belongs. I actually got a replica Colt Thunderer when I found out I was going to be on the show. I would walk around the house scaring my cats just practicing my draw.
The western inspiration for “Wynonna Earp” was a popular subject during the press roundtables. Actor Michael Eklund, who plays villain Bobo Del Rey in the series, put in his two cents on the matter as well.
Michael: “Wynonna” is fun because it’s like being a kid again. We all played cowboys growing up, and now we’re adults getting paid to do this.
While the western subject was prevalent during the interviews, the cast and writers assured us that the other different themes combine well in “Wynonna.” The supernatural flows seamlessly into the old west; romance blends with familial loyalty. “Wynonna Earp” promises to have a lot going for it, so keep an eye out for it when it premieres this Friday, April 1, on the Syfy channel.
Categorized:News
