S1 Spoilers and Speculation

[Alex Matthews]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS CONTINUED!

VSGUIDE SITS DOWN WITH
MADDIE HASSON AND SARAH HYLAND!

The next in a series of VSGuide interviews with the stars of the upcoming high-school coming of age drama "Winchester" is released today! Sarah Hyland ("Modern Family", "Struck By Lightning") and Maddie Hasson ("Twisted", "The Finder") sat down to talk about their characters, and some of the storylines they'll be involved in.

VSGuide: First of all, thanks for joining us today. 
Maddie Hasson: Thanks for having us.
Sarah Hyland: We're really happy to be here.

VSG: So, Cody and Camila already told us a little of what to expect from this season. How do your characters come into play with the season's murder-mystery storyline?
SH: My character, Eve, she starts off being kind of outside of the main group of guys doing the whole 'investigating' thing, but since it's her brother that was killed, she does get pulled into it eventually. 
MH: Melissa is pretty much the same, yeah. She's only very tangentially involved, to begin with, in what we've filmed so far, but I'm hoping that won't always be the case.

VSG: Okay. So, tell us a little bit about your characters, Melissa Carlyle and Eve Wise.
MH: Melissa is, how can I say this..? She comes from money, but at the same time, she's still your typical high school junior, trying to figure out who she is, while also trying to be what she thinks everyone else wants her to be. She's gone through a rough patch and realized some of the mistakes she's made and wants to course-correct.
SH: Yeah, I'd say Eve is very similar in a way. She's just lost her brother, her family is a mess, and she's reevaluating what she wants out of life, and what her position in the hierarchy of high school means to her. 

VSG: It sounds like you're both in for a tough time in this first season?
SH: You could say that, yeah. [laughs] Matthew and James, they've worked really hard to show us the backstories they've developed for each character, what makes them who they are, and some of it plays into the overall arc of the season. Other parts help us with how we interpret the character in our performance.
MH: Definitely. It's established within seconds of us meeting Melissa that she's a party girl, but in the same episode, you also find out what pushed her over the edge and why she's not in the premiere episode.

VSG: Backstage gossip tells us that Melissa was a late addition to the make-up of the show, is that true?
MH: [nods] Yeah, I was the last to be cast, out of the main core of series regulars. From what Alex and Matthew told me, the original idea of Melissa was one of Alex's contributions to the reboot/reimagining of the series and went through several different variations before I got the script and final character breakdown in my audition. I came in for a 'Mean Girl' type character, but when I saw how much she'd changed from that first breakdown to what I had in front of me, I knew I wanted to bring her to life. 
CM: I kind of think of her as a mirror for my character. Before the events of the whole mystery arc, Melissa and Eve were two peas in a pod, but now these events have changed and moulded them into two very different people. They had a friendship that may not survive those changes or the events of this season. 

VSG: So it sounds like you two have some kind of arc of your own?
SH: Partly, yeah. It all comes back to the main mystery arc in the end, and we share some scenes in Episode 3 that really bring focus on that.
MH: Especially with how Melissa may or may not relate to the whole arc [laughs] Oops, I probably shouldn't have said that! 
SH: [laughs] Too late now!

VSG: Are there any non-mystery related soft spoilers you can offer us?
MH: [laughs] You'll see straight away that Melissa likes to have fun and be the centre of attention when she gets back to school, but not many of the core group are happy to see her back. She instantly takes a liking to Jake, he's the 'new guy', so why shouldn't she have some fun with him? 
SH: Eve, she's going through hell right now, but she's got people around her who care about her, like Tracy for one, and Pete [played by Franz Drameh] for another. There's a lot of history between them, and it comes into play quickly, some of it good, some of it bad. 

VSG: Sounds exciting! Can't wait to see it!
SH: Not long now, just over a week to go!
MH: I excited and terrified to hear what people think!

---

Remember that the premiere will be Saturday 20th January!

[Alex Matthews]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS #3!

VSGUIDE TALKS TO
GRACE PHIPPS AND DYLAN MINETTE!

We're only a few more days away from the premiere of the new-and-improved "Winchester", so VSGuide continues its ongoing series of interviews with the main cast of the coming-of-age drama. This time it was Grace Phipps ("The Vampire Diaries", "The Nine Lives of Chloe King") and Dylan Minette ("Goosebumps", "13 Reasons Why") that we had the opportunity to talk to about their characters, and some of the storylines they'll be involved in.

VSGuide: Grace, Dylan, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us!
Dylan Minette: No problem.
Grace Phipps: [laughs] We just finished a scene, we could do with a break!

VSG: Hard at work, huh? Good to hear it! Okay, so let's begin with something easy. Tell us a little about your characters, Lucy and Charlie.
GP: I play Lucy Hill, she's Jake's cousin, and at first the only person he knows when he moves into town. She's the daughter of the local sheriff, and she's smart, very responsible. She kinda has to play the 'grown-up' in her household, because her dad is a little too focused on his job.
DM: Charlie is a loner, kinda, I guess. He's actually younger then the other characters - he's supposed to be a sophomore, but he's been skipped a grade because he's that clever. He's good with computers, but he's also got an artistic streak, he loves to draw. They kinda take up a lot of his time when he's not doing schoolwork because he needs the distraction.

VSG: Okay? Sounds interesting. What about the relationship between your two characters and the others?
DM: Like I said, Charlie keeps to himself, at least to begin with. But Lucy is kinda like his beacon - the one person he knows he can turn too when things get rough. She's like a big sister in some ways. 
GP: Yeah, that's pretty accurate. I mean, Lucy is an only child, and because she's used to mothering her own dad, she kinda does that with Charlie as well. But when Jake comes to town, she's going through a really bad time, because of what's going on, so she's glad to have a family to turn to at this time.
DM: [nods] Jake does something in the first episode that kinda makes Charlie glad he's there, and with Lucy acting as a kind of bridge, they begin to form a friendship. 

VSG: How do your characters affect the season's 'murder-mystery' arc?
DM: Charlie's computer smarts are a part of it, to begin with. But as the season moves on, and he begins to bond with the other characters, he wants to contribute more, and that leads into a dangerous situation you'll see play towards the end of the season. 
GP: Lucy is kept at arm's length, to begin with, like I said, she's dealing with a lot when we first meet her, but she does get pulled into it over the arc, although I think I'm the last, right?
DM: Uh, maybe. What about Franz [who plays 'Pete Jensen']? He hasn't been involved yet, has he?
GP: Oh, yeah! Cool, I'm not the last! [laughs]

VSG: Your characters, they share the first names of two of the characters from the original "Winchester". Did you do any research on that first run?
DM: Matthew told us a little bit about the first incarnation, yeah, but this version is almost a completely new show, at least in this first season it will be. I think the names are more of a way of paying tribute to the original series. 
GP: [nods] Definitely. I mean, both Alex and Matthew wanted to honour the work done in that original series, but we weren't obligated to base our interpretations on those that came before. That said, there is a plot element from the first season of the original show that comes up again during the final few episodes, which I'm really looking forward to seeing finished. 

VSG: Are there any other non-mystery related soft spoilers you can offer us?
DM: Hmm, hard to say. Oh, I know. There's an episode we're finishing up, "Fall Ball", and Charlie gets a date for the dance.
GP: It's not Lucy, just so you know [laughs]
DM: Yeah, it's an actual proper date! [laughs]
GP: As for Lucy, she's going through something you'll understand a lot more once the first episode comes out. You'll have to just wait and see!

VSG: Aww, no fair! 
GP: Sorry! I can't give everything away! There'd be no point for you to watch, otherwise!
DM: Seriously, you're gonna love it.

---

The premiere is just under five days away - this coming Saturday!

[Alex Matthews]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS #4!

VSGUIDE TALKS TO
FRANZ DRAMEH AND LINDSEY MORGAN!

In our penultimate interview with the main core of cast for the new "Winchester" reboot, VSGuide talks to Franz Drameh ("The Flash", "Legends of Tomorrow") and Lindsey Morgan ("The 100"), who play 'Pete Jensen' and 'Maya Raymond', about their characters, and some of the storylines they'll be involved in.

VSGuide: Franz, Lindsey, thanks for joining us today!
Franz Drameh: Saving the best till last, huh?
Lindsey Morgan: Better late then never, I guess.

VSG: Sorry about that, it was just a scheduling thing, nothing personal! Okay, let's start with the basics - can you tell us a little about your characters?
FD: Well, Pete is pretty much your typical high school jock when we first meet him. He's got a position of leadership in the school's social community, people look up to him, and it's gone to his head. Honestly, he's a bit of an ass, but I like to think it's just the beginning of his journey in the series. 
LM: Maya is... the word 'driven' is used to describe her early on, she's very focused on what she wants, which is to make the Tribune, the school paper, a success but it's an uphill struggle with little support from anyone else, so she's become very used to having her own way with what the paper prints. 

VSG: Okay, we couldn't help but notice that your characters seem to share the names of two characters from the original 'Winchester'..? Is that deliberate?
FD: From what we've been told about how the reboot developed, yeah it is. I mean, I've seen some of the older episodes, where Michael Trevino (of "Vampire Diaries") played the original take on the character, and I think it's safe to say my 'Pete', he may have a different surname, but they still have a lot of core similarities. But the journey he will take is going to be very different. 
LM: It's different for me, for Maya, because she's a totally new take on the character - I mean, we've explored a lot of Maya's backstory in talks between myself, Matthew and Alex, and I'm really excited to see what viewers think of her. She can be a bitch, and sometimes takes things too far in her pursuit of what needs to be done for a story. Actually, she reminds me a lot of Lois Lane, but with less of a filter engaged. 

VSG: How do your characters affect the season's 'murder-mystery' arc?
LM: Maya is very central to the investigation because it's the story that could save the Tribune from finally being shut down if the school board has its way. But at the same time, she's also invested in finding out what happened to her friend, and maybe assuaging her own guilt in the matter... [laughs] I think I said too much!
FD: Don't give it all away! [laughs] Pete is pretty much not involved in what the others are doing, looking into Shane's death. But Shane was someone he respected, was a friend with, even if they didn't agree on everything. He wants to be there for Eve, when she's hurting, he cares about her.

VSG: What about your relationship with other characters?
FD: Pete, being that stereotypical wannabe alpha male, he bullies a few of the other characters. He can't stand Charlie, barely tolerates Lucy, and he and Jake, they do not get along after their first meeting. But like I said, he does care for Eve, they have history, they used to date, and he used to be friends with both Tracy and Maya, but relationships changed and evolved, so it's not very clear where he stands with a lot of them at first. 
LM: [nods] Yeah, I think Maya is so focused on 'the job', that she's let the idea of friendships fall by the wayside, she had a lot to prove to herself and to all the doubters. But as the Tribune team comes together, she begins to realize what she's missing out on, and what she's given up over the years.

VSG: Are there any other non-mystery related soft spoilers you can offer us?
FD: Hmm, I suppose I can tell you that Pete does have a crisis of identity over the course of the season. It's the start of his evolution from jock into something more. But it's going to be a long transition.
LM: Maya's main focus in the Tribune, she's diving into it to deal with her own pain. I don't know if we'll properly explore that in much depth this season, but it's something I'm looking forward to bringing to life.

VSG: Sounds like there's a lot to take onboard when "Winchester" returns to our screens?
FD: Oh yeah, it's all going on in this town!
LM: There are plenty of twists and turns, and a few red herrings, so pay attention!

---

The premiere is coming this Saturday! 8/7c!

[Alex Matthews]

VSGUIDE EXCLUSIVE CASTING NEWS:
'SCREAM' STAR NEVE CAMPBELL
CAST IN GUEST ROLE!

Meet the former Mrs. Sheriff Hill!! That's right, Neve Campbell (the 'Scream' movie franchise, 'House of Cards') will be appearing in Episodes 4 and 5 in a major guest role as Jennifer Hill, mother to Lucy Hill (played by starring cast member Grace Phipps) and ex-wife of Sheriff Conrad Hill (played by recurring guest star Denis Leary). 

Executive Producer Alex Matthews sat down with VSGuide to explain a little about the character: "Originally, I really wanted the Hills to be the typical 'nuclear family' of stereotypical small-town Americana, but as we were breaking down and plotting out episodes, things just didn't organically move in that direction." But that doesn't mean the idea of introducing Lucy's mother was pushed to the way-side. "It was something me and Matthew went over several times, really trying to figure out who this woman was and why she wasn't around during the events of the season arc. We're both very happy with the end result."

But what lead to Neve being cast? "We were throwing various actress names about, figuring out who could be a good fit for it, and when I suggested Neve, Matthew loved it. He really liked the idea of the woman behind Sidney Prescott, an iconic teen of the late 90s, now being a mom for a new generation caught in their own murder mystery."

So, what kind of woman is Jessica Hill? "She's a career-minded woman, working in big business up in Seattle, but when Conrad calls on her, she realises that her family needs her. She may have divorced Conrad, but she still cares for him deeply, and she knows he wouldn't call her down for no reason. She's grateful for the opportunity to make up not being there for Lucy when it mattered."

Neve will appear in Episode 1x04: "Time to Move On", and Episode 5: "All We Got".

[Alex Matthews]

A new update for incoming episode 3!

- TheVPN has released an official synopsis of the episode:

WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY - The town of Winchester Bay comes together to mourn the loss of Shane Wise and support his family at his funeral. Jake (Christian) and Melissa (Hasson) get better acquainted, while Tracy (Mendes) deals with her own personal baggage at seeing them together. Charlie (Minette) and Lucy (Phipps) commiserate over the absence of a mother in each of their lives, while an emotional Eve (Hyland) offers Pete (Drameh) an olive branch. Annie (Weil) meets History teacher Josh Ryan. Maya (Morgan) discovers a clue that could finally help the Tribune team get a handle on why Shane died.

[Matthew James]

Spoiler Added for the final three episodes.

Jul 1, 2017 0:50:41 GMT -6 Matthew James said:

Episode #1x08: "The Last Day"
Produced by: The VPN
Written by: Matthew James


[Updated - 02/18/2018] Title Revealed

[Updated - 02/18/2018] Spoilers:
- This episode will break away from the main story.
- This episode will serve as a Flashback episode. Revolving around Jake's final days in New York, and Shane's last days alive.
- We'll finally get to meet Jake's brother.

Episode #1x09 - Swan Song (Part One)
Produced by: The VPN
Written by: Matthew James

[Updated - 02/18/2018] Spoilers:
- Title Revealed
- This is the first of a two-part episode.
- A member of the Tribune will sacrifice themselves for the truth.

Episode #1x10 - The End of The Beginning (Part Two)
Produced by: The VPN
Written by: Matthew James

[Updated - 02/18/2018] Spoilers:

- Season Finale
- This is the conclusion of the two-part season finale.
- Answers will be revealed.
- A storm will hit Winchester Bay.