Warner Bros. and James Wan’s Swamp Thing TV series is officially a go, and it’ll form a cornerstone of the forthcoming DC Universe.
That’s the announcement that swept the globe four weeks ago, when it was confirmed that Warner’s mooted streaming service would go by the name ‘DC Universe’, and that it would feature the likes of Titans, Young Justice: Outsiders and an animated series dedicated to the inimitable Miss Harleen Quinzel – better known to you, I, and the people of Gotham as Harley Quinn.
For Swamp Thing, we understand James Wan and his team plan to incorporate some horror elements into the finished series, which will presumably be anchored by Alec Holland and Abby Arcane, if today’s character breakdowns are any indication.
Up first is the latter lead. Otherwise known as Abby Holland, it seems the Powers That Be want to foster a Shape of Water-esque relationship between beauty and the beast.
ABBY ARCANE – Female, 30s, smart, private, professional, something of a loner, Abby works for the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, which has sent her to her hometown of Houma after ten years away to check out the worrying “Houma Flu.” After losing her mother at age 8 and bouncing through a series of foster families, Abby suddenly left Houma after high school to study medicine. Abby is good at her job but currently in the doghouse with her boss. Struggling with a secret that’s prompted her leaving and now the need to pop pills when necessary, Abby is apprehensive about going back home to Houma, and things are indeed awkward with her high school ex, Matt, who remained in Houma and became a cop.
The detailed character breakdown for Abby continues as so:
Abby hits it off immediately with a Sunderland Corporation researcher, Alec Holland, but soon discovers that her own efforts, like those of Alec, are considered suspect by the townsfolk, who aren’t happy with her feeling that it’s best to shut down the swamp (where the locals make their living) as they investigate the flu. Abby has her hands full with a potential epidemic, a town full of hostiles, and a strange but alluring “Shape Of Water” romance with a creature borne from the swamp. SERIES REGULAR
On the other hand, Alec Holland is described as a 30-year-old hot-head with a passion for science and the local swamp, ultimately leading to his transformation into the titular Swamp Thing.
ALEC HOLLAND – Male, 30s, smart, a bit of a hot-head, determined, passionate about his work, Alec works for the Sunderland Corporation (which is apparently building a hospital in Houma) as an independent researcher, where he’s discovered a connection between the swamp and the Houma flu. Alec hits it off immediately with CDC researcher and Houma native Abby Arcane, and the two of them are much alike, each wanting more out of life, interested in science, and not having much of a love life. Alec is not a big hit with the rest of Houma, however, who view him with suspicion if not open hostility.
And continued:
Alec is determined to persevere despite the town’s hostility, but it’s clear that the Swamp has its own plans for Alec when he undergoes a strange transformation into a swamp-based creature with abilities he could never imagine. SERIES REGULAR
Still no word on the villain for Warner’s Swamp Thing series, though the folks over at CBM name-drop The Floronic Man and Anton Arcane as two worthy contenders. We will, as always, keep you posted as more information comes to light.
