Today Swamp Thing will debut its first episode via the DC Universe streaming service. The series is taking heavy inspiration from Alan Moore’s classic comic book run on the title and looks set to take DC in a new, horror-tinged direction.
If you haven’t picked up a Swamp Thing comic book before fear not, we’re here to get you ready for the pilot episode of the series with all you need to know!
The Creative Team
The pilot of Swamp Thing is directed by veteran TV and movie director Len Wiseman (Underworld). Wiseman’s IMDb profile features some heavyweights of film and TV and his influence is clearly felt throughout the episode.
The pilot was written by Gary Dauberman (IT, The Nun) and Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies, Battlestar Galactica) and executive produced by James Wan (Aquaman), Mark Verheiden, Gary Dauberman and Michael Clear (Lights Out).
The Setting
Swamp Thing is set in the town of Marais, Louisiana and as expected most of the series takes place on, in or around the swamp itself.
Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed) grew up in the town on Marais and left after high school graduation. Arcane isn’t made overly welcome when she returns to town as a doctor working for the CDC due to her history with the Sutherland family.
Abby soon crosses paths with scientist Alec Holland (Andy Bean) and the pairs investigation in to strange goings on in the swamp leads to some life changing consequences.
The setting is perfect for the horror aesthetic and looks amazing throughout the show with its muted colour palette. We also spend a short time of the pilot in the Congo setting the scene for Abby’s work with the CDC.
The Cast
The cast of Swamp Thing includes Crystal Reed (Teen Wolf, Gotham) as Abby Arcane, a CDC researcher who returns to her childhood home of Marais to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus running rife through the town.
Andy Bean (IT: Chapter 2) plays Alec Holland, a scientist hired to investigate the swamp by Avery Sutherland. Holland has a sketchy past having previously been discredited for doctoring the results of one of his studies. Holland, at first, gets in the way of Abby and her investigation but the two eventually form a born only for his to be tragically taken away from her.
Derek Mears (Friday The 13th) plays the mutated, titular Swamp Thing. When Holland is shot by a mysterious figure on the swamp he falls in to the water and is transformed in to Swamp Thing. His appearance in the pilot is only brief and we can’t wait to see more of him as the show continues!
Supporting cast members include Virgina Madsen (Candyman, Sideways) as Maria Sutherland, the wife of Avery Sutherland and an ex-alcoholic. Maria went off the rails following the death of her daughter Shawna. Maria is unhappy to see Abby return to Marais and wastes no time in making her feelings clear.
Will Patton (Amageddon) plays Avery Sutherland. Sutherland is the big name in Marais with his lab squarely in the crosshairs for causing the virus spreading through town. He also hired Alec Holland in an attempt to understand events in the swamp.
Maria Sten (Straight Outta Compton) plays Liz Tremayne, an old friend of Abby’s who now works at the local paper and moonlights in the local bar working for her father.
Other cast members include Flashdance star Jennifer Beals as Lucilia Cable, Henderson Wade as Matt Cable, Jeryl Prescott as Madame Xanadu, Ian Ziering as Blue Devil and Kevin Durand as Jason Woodrue.
In case you still need to familiarise yourself with the world of Swamp Thing here’s a look at the series trailer.
When CDC researcher Abby Arcane returns to her childhood home of Marais, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
Swamp Thing will premiere on the DC Universe streaming service on May 31, 2019. The series is set to star Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Derek Mears, Jennifer Beals, Henderson Wade, Will Patton, Virginia Madsen, Jeryl Prescott, Henderson Wade and Kevin Durand.
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