<em>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em>, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries — teen dramas have a long and prosperous legacy of blending addictive supernatural turmoil with real-world stakes surrounding everyday, deeply relatable adolescent angst. Although the standards set by these classics are a tough act to follow, you can now watch this free-to-stream hidden gem that follows in those influential footsteps on Prime Video.
Wolfblood, a 2012 award-winning young adult supernatural fantasy series, swaps out vampires and witches for werewolves only across its five seasons. Have no fear, though — this underrated title’s slightly different and no less competent lens will fill the Vampire Diaries-shaped void in viewers’ hearts through its richly drawn characters, high school setting, and unique mythology.
What Is ‘Wolfblood’ About?
Maddy Smith (Aimée Kelly) has too much on her plate. For one, she’s a 14-year-old navigating the predictably tiresome edifice of her small-town high school: exams, grades, posturing jocks, and mean girl cliques. Furthermore, the Smith family lives a double life. Maddy and her parents are all wolfbloods, a species similar to yet fundamentally different from werewolves. Instead of being tormented by the full moon, wolfbloods control when they assume their wolven forms. They possess heightened smell, hearing, and speed even in their human bodies, and the abilities aren’t passed down through traditional biting, either; most wolfbloods inherit the genes like any other hereditary feature.
Finally, many wolfbloods live within human civilization but conceal their true nature for their safety. Not even Maddy’s closest friends, Shannon Kelly (Louisa Connolly-Burnham) — who’s determined to prove that supernatural beings exist — and Tom Okanawe (Kedar Williams-Stirling) — a skilled football player with unresolved wounds from his parents’ divorce — know Maddy’s truth.
The arrival of Rhydian Morris (Bobby Lockwood), Bradlington High’s mysterious new student, thoroughly disrupts Maddy’s already complicated life. Wolfbloods live in territorial packs, but Maddy’s suspicious hostility fades to empathy once she learns that Rhydian is a literal lone wolf. Raised in the foster care system since he was a child, the withdrawn boy has lived without any connection to or information about his supernatural lineage. The pair forge a deep bond as they keep their packs’ secrets, protect each other from threats, and survive their academic responsibilities.
‘Wolfblood’ Puts a Fresh Spin on Werewolf Mythology and Teen Drama Tropes
Wolfblood‘s core elements ring undeniably similar to The Vampire Diaries‘ defining appeal. Characters balancing the supernatural and adolescent worlds, and navigating their inevitable overlap, is a proven dramatic match and narrative hook. Normal teen social dynamics like being a ridiculed and rejected outcast complement wolfblood culture as a metaphor for issues surrounding puberty, identity, insecurity, anger, depression, trauma, and broken families. In Wolfblood‘s case, being unique isn’t an agonizing curse — it’s a journey toward celebratory self-acceptance of normalizing your difference as an empowering trait. Once characters connect with their fundamental truths and discover belonging within a supportive communal environment, joy, autonomy, and a safe outlet for their ferocious emotions follow.
As for the series’ mythology, distinguishing wolfbloods from werewolves offers intriguing worldbuilding. Researchers debate the species’ origins, but wolfbloods are presumed to be a constant presence throughout history and deeply woven into human society. Some packs honor ancient cultural traditions and religious ceremonies while all groups operate according to their own specific rules. The “tame” wolfbloods avoid potential risk by hiding from humans and refusing to prey upon them while the “wild” wolfbloods reject such restrictions and live freely in the wilderness.
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The drama is eternal.
The ultimate key to Wolfblood‘s success is placing character dynamics at the forefront. Together, the packs combat danger while also maneuvering through platonic adoration, unrequited crushes, first loves, and true love. Friendships and romances alike fracture — but always mend — from mistakes, misunderstandings, torn loyalties, foiled good intentions, and secret revelations. The ensemble aren’t cardboard cut-outs nor do they serve as mouthpieces for on-the-nose allegories that talk down to Wolfblood‘s intended demographic; these assembled outsiders are believably developed and progressively inclusive (different class backgrounds, ethnicities, perspectives, and lived experiences) while being endearing for that impressive depth. Maddy existing in the supernatural world instead of being a naive human enticed by handsome “monsters” is an especially heartening twist. A softie at heart, Rhydian’s own trope twist presents through how his hesitant loner tendencies stem from his sensitivity, confusion, and trust issues.
‘Wolfblood’ Is the Perfect Supernatural Binge-Watch for All Ages
Compared to The Vampire Diaries‘ strong start and weak stretched-thin end, Wolfblood maintains a tight focus as well as a less flashy more grounded tone (the latter thanks to its CBBC origins). Even its large cast switch-ups don’t affect the series’ narrative momentum or preclude characters from satisfying resolutions. Even though our favorite genre elements are softened for a family-friendly age range, Wolfblood doesn’t dilute them; adults can find just as much worthwhile enjoyment here. As charming as can be, the entire adventure feels crafted with intention and care. Being free to watch on Prime Video means anyone can press play on this slightly different but no less competent supernatural saga — one made for viewers who crave all the moving romantic and eerie delights that Wolfblood‘s predecessors provide.
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