Gender-swapping in Hollywood is a trait that tends to get a bad rep, and one need only look at some of the extreme, borderline asinine reactions to the Ghostbusters redo earlier this year for an example of a vitriolic backlash. Paul Feig’s reboot wasn’t without its faults, of course, but immediately writing off a feature purely because it subverts the gender of its leading role(s) is nothing short of ignorance.
Think of the upcoming Road House reboot with UFC champ Ronda Rousey, or Ron Howard’s Splash, which actually places Channing Tatum in the role of the mermaid opposite Jillian Bell. It makes for an interesting approach to a pre-existing formula, and one that often allays fears that the reboot in question is simply rehashing what came before for a modern audience.
Syfy’s Van Helsing series is one such example of a project that took its lead role – in this case, a badass vampire hunter – and undercut expectations by placing Kelly Overton in the boots of Vanessa Helsing, a descendant of the monster-hunting icon. Currently midway through its inaugural season on the airwaves, we now have word that Van Helsing has landed a second season, with production due to get underway on the new 13-episode run in January.
Reflecting on the renewal, showrunner Neil LaBute teased that the gothic series could run “for many years.”
“It’s with great pleasure and extreme excitement that all of us involved with ‘Van Helsing’ receive the news of a pick-up for a second season, especially this early in our initial run. We have a wonderful and terrifying road ahead planned for Vanessa, her allies and her enemies. I think this is a world and a story that can be sustained for many years and I am inspired to do so thanks to Syfy’s obvious trust and commitment in the storytellers, cast and crew. The team is very thankful and ready to go – ready to get back on the road to Denver and to spill a lot of blood along the way.”
Tell us, are you pleased to see that the show is getting a second season? Sound off below with your thoughts!
