The Western genre used to dominate television, with shows like <em>Rawhide</em>, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke, which was the longest-running scripted show until The Simpsons took the title in 2018. However, the influx of similar entries, high production costs, and a cultural shift from the romanticized West to modern or futuristic settings significantly diminished its popularity. Since then, the Western has evolved, incorporating anti-heroes, violence, and family drama. One of the standout series from this new wave is <em>Wynonna Earp</em>, which premiered on April 1, 2016, and brilliantly merges supernatural elements with classic Western themes.
What Is ‘Wynonna Earp’ About?
Wynonna Earp (Melanie Scrofano) returns to Purgatory, her hometown in the Canadian Rockies, for her uncle’s funeral. She reunites with her younger sister, Waverly (Dominique Provost-Chalkley), who reminds her of the family curse that dates back to their great-great-grandfather, the legendary Wyatt Earp. Wyatt killed 77 outlaws during his tenure as a lawman; however, they refused to stay dead and returned as demonic Revenants seeking vengeance on Wyatt’s descendants.
Each heir in the Earp family line must send the Revenants back to Hell using Wyatt’s magical gun, Peacemaker, upon turning 27. If they fail to kill all 77 Revenants, the curse passes down to the next heir, resurrecting all Revenants and restarting the cycle. Although Wynonna was not meant to be the next heir—her older sister Willa (Natalie Krill) was trained for that role—Willa’s kidnapping led Wynonna to inherit Wyatt’s abilities and Peacemaker.
Wynonna also reluctantly allies with the Black Badge Division, a secret government agency focused on supernatural threats, after being recruited by Agent Xavier Dolls (Shamier Anderson). While Black Badge needs her skills, she realizes she also needs their support along with her sister Waverly, Purgatory deputy Nicole Haught (Katherine Barrell), and the immortal Doc Holliday (Tim Rozon). As the series unfolds, Wynonna’s battles expand to include various supernatural beings within the Ghost River Triangle surrounding Purgatory. Additionally, Wynonna evolves from a reluctant hero into a true protector of Purgatory and a leader of her chosen family.
‘Wynonna Earp’ Winningly Embraces Both the Classic Western and the Supernatural
The uniqueness of Wynonna Earp lies in its ability to embrace traditional Western themes while integrating supernatural elements and a contemporary viewpoint. The theme of “family” has been a constant in Westerns—from the Cartwrights of Bonanza to the Duttons of Yellowstone. Although not related by blood, Wynonna’s “found family” embodies similar values: individuals who choose to support one another with an emotional bond as strong as any bloodline. The series also features classic Western elements such as gunfights, action sequences, and a heroic protector.
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The fact that the hero is a tough yet flawed female character is just one of many progressive elements that Wynonna Earp brings to its interpretation of the genre. The show skillfully balances humorous self-awareness with genuine drama and horror—most notably in Season 1’s “Two-Faced Jack.” The supernatural aspect lends it a dynamic reminiscent of <em>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em>, as both series feature strong female leads and include prominent LGBTQ+ relationships. In this case, Waverly’s relationship with Haught (affectionately dubbed “WayHaught” by fans) feels authentic and well-earned rather than exploitative.
This success can be attributed to a talented cast that shares a close bond off-screen as well as on-screen. Their engagement with fans online helped fuel a passionate fanbase known as “Earpers.” Although their efforts could not prevent the show’s cancellation after four seasons, they did lead to a 90-minute special titled Wynonna Earp: Vengeance, which brought back the main cast for another adventure. However, it should not be referred to as a resurrection.
