Melanie Scrofano’s new zombie show ‘Revival’ debates how we treat others who are different
As a child, Melanie Scrofano found it challenging to connect with her peers, particularly with girls. For a brief period, she managed to find common ground with boys, but this too proved to be temporary.
As I reminisce on my solitary journey, I’ve come to appreciate the isolation, for it served as a catalyst. Over time, I understood that my fellow women in the industry are my greatest strength, and I’ve made it a priority to foster these connections.
Currently, Scrofano is widely recognized for her television work that primarily focuses on relationships among women. She shares that her time working on “Wynonna Earp,” a series exploring the profound love within families, especially sisterhood, left a deep impression on her, inspiring her to seek out similar themes in future projects.
As a cinephile, I can’t help but feel drawn towards those heartfelt connections on screen. It seems there’s a sense of security in them that I didn’t experience when I was growing up. My castmates have been truly exceptional, making it almost predestined – a mix of fate and luck – for me to be smitten by them.
Television
After over two years, the fourth season of “Wynonna Earp” on Syfy has finally come to fruition. This delay was due to various factors, including financial difficulties, an enthusiastic fan community, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a new series titled “Revival,” which started airing last week on Syfy (with the first episode becoming available on Peacock this Thursday), focuses on the bond between two sisters. Produced by Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce, this supernatural thriller centers around a quaint Wisconsin town where, inexplicably, those who have recently passed away miraculously return to life. This series is adapted from the comic book series written by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton.
In a more casual and straightforward manner, Scrofano portrays Dana Cypress, a lone parent and small-town police officer, who is merely striving to give her child a comfortable life. Initially, the viewers encounter Dana as she’s preparing to leave her home in pursuit of a fresh start elsewhere.
In a small town, once people have formed an opinion about you, that’s often who they see, according to Scrofano, who is also an executive producer on the show. However, Dana believes she can be so much more. Consequently, she desires to escape this place and realize the potential she knows lies within herself.
Sadly, an unexpected revival of the town’s recently departed residents disrupts Dana’s plans. The narrative unfolds as Dana delves into the mysteries surrounding these “resurrected,” or “revivers” as they are called in the series, and other potential connected crimes. Amidst this, she grapples with a tense relationship with her father, blossoming romance, and attempts to mend fences with her long-lost younger sister.
What particularly caught Scrofano’s attention was that this character wasn’t solely identified by her profession or a single role.
Scrofano remarks that Dana seems genuinely human. She’s merely a woman striving to survive and fulfill her aspirations, which feels incredibly relatable and human, as it’s a struggle we all share.
According to Scrofano, these revivers are indeed human beings – live individuals who seem to have reappeared in a state similar to before their demise, not like the undead or zombie-like creatures we usually imagine. However, society’s perception of them has significantly changed over time, and opinions vary on how they should be handled.
Scrofano explains, “Although things remain the same for them, the rules have shifted.” This analogy struck him deeply as it symbolizes our treatment of those who are unlike us. He ponders, “How can one advocate for justice when not fully aware of the situation, yet instinctively feeling the need to support these individuals?
Even though the series is set in 2006, with characters using flip phones, the issues it explores have grown increasingly relevant. The revivers, who symbolize those considered “different,” coincide with a time when the U.S. government has questioned the status of immigrants for supposed public safety reasons, resulting in individuals being singled out based on their appearance. (Scrofano was interviewed prior to recent immigration raids and tensions in Los Angeles.)
Additionally, the ideological divide between Dana and her father, Sheriff Wayne Cypress (David James Elliott), is a significant point of contention. Their beliefs about their responsibilities and perspectives on revivers differ significantly.
Scrofano notes that numerous families today are experiencing discord due to global events. He is drawn to tales of reconciliation among such divided parties, as they are compelled to discover shared ground… This compulsion provides him with optimism, believing it may inspire those who find themselves in similar divisions to seek a path towards reunion that respects and satisfies both parties.
The series explores significant themes using a supernatural metaphor, but “Revival” doesn’t just focus on one narrative. As Scrofano puts it, “it encompasses horror, humor, family dynamics, the unknown supernatural world, and even elements of real-life crimes.
Voices
Commentary: ‘Wynonna Earp’ came at a dark time for queer women on TV. Then it changed the game
As “Wynonna Earp” concludes its potential last season on Friday, it merits recognition for resisting the trope of “killing off LGBTQ+ characters” – instead, it transforms apprehension into reassurance.
Dana’s relationship with her younger sister Em (Romy Weltman) checks off a few of those boxes.
From birth, Em has been affected by osteogenesis imperfecta, or what’s commonly referred to as brittle bone disease. As a result, her loved ones have always handled her with great care throughout her life.
In her upbringing, they were extremely cautious about their character, as Scrofano explains. “Much like Dana, who is deeply shaped by her identity and can’t break free from it, Em carries a similar weight. There’s a sense of detachment that developed because Dana couldn’t draw near… because throughout her life, her father would always caution, ‘Stay away. Be careful.’
Before the series started, the sisters had grown apart, but strange occurrences in their community drew them closer once more. They made an effort to rekindle their bond, pondering the extent and limits of physical contact between the sisters due to Em’s health situation.
According to Scrofano, “We’re finding a fresh approach to our relationship.” This transformation is due to the experiences she has been through, which allow her to break free from specific constraints and enable us to connect on a level we hadn’t before.
Scrofano calls Weltman, who portrays Em, “a blessing.”
Romy is incredibly kind-hearted, thoughtful, and understanding, almost as if she’s been around for much longer than her actual age,” she remarks.
Scrofano admits that her new project “Revival” shares some resemblances with her most recognized role, “Wynonna Earp,” where she portrayed the titular character, an initially unwilling demon hunter. This Syfy series first aired in 2016 and garnered a loyal fanbase throughout its four-season span. A special titled “Wynonna Earp: Vengeance” was made available on Tubi last year.
As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but compare two captivating supernatural series centered around groups of resurrected deceased individuals and central sisterly relationships. When it comes to Wynonna Earp and another show, the creators faced the challenge of ensuring that each sister, Dana and Wynonna, maintained their unique identities to avoid any sense of derivative copycatting. In her own words, our esteemed creator Emily Andras acknowledged the pressure she felt to ensure that Wynonna remained a distinct entity, given its cherished status.
As a passionate admirer of both “Revival” and another show, I try to steer clear of using the term “curse” when talking about the latter, simply to preserve a sense of distinction between them. However, I can’t deny the presence of certain similarities, but they don’t run too deep.
Scrofano points out that while there’s a clear similarity, she won’t argue that the connection stops there. However, she does highlight one less apparent link between the shows: it was Wynonna Earp’s writer-producer Noelle Carbone who initially contacted her about the Revival role.
It’s not surprising that Scrofano feels protective towards “Wynonna Earp,” given the fervent loyalty and compassion of its fans, a fact frequently mentioned by the cast and crew over time. Moreover, the show has played a significant role in launching Scrofano’s career as a writer and director.
Scrofano remarks, “Wynonna has unlocked numerous creative avenues.” This freedom means, he adds, that he doesn’t feel compelled to break free from a mold set by Wynonna or one he’s created himself based on her legacy.
During our chat filled with humor over turducken recipes, shared memories of fashion from the 2000s, and observing the backdrops in our Zoom screens, it’s clear that Scrofano shows the most enthusiasm when delving into the topic of storytelling.
As a child coping with anxiety, watching episodes of “Married… With Children” provided her with a sense of calm. Identifying with the character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer sparked her interest in martial arts. Additionally, she holds a profound affection for the movies “Spaceballs,” “Weird Science,” and “Labyrinth.
What Scrofano appreciates about her job and programs like “Revival” is that they provide a platform for people to seek answers through the narratives and characters, thereby promoting empathy and comprehension towards others.
Scrofano expresses that through our actions, we aim to encourage people to perhaps improve their tolerance for one another a bit more.
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2025-06-18 13:31