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VS GUIDE sat down with Beacon Hallows creator Matt James and discussed a few key characters in the upcoming series. Starting with series lead Shannon Blackwell virtually portrayed by Kathryn Newton.

VS GUIDE: Speaking of Kathryn, what was it that drew you to the actress? We’ve heard a rumor that she wasn’t your first choice?

JAMES: True, we looked at several actresses for the role. For a bit it seemed like it was going to be Kathreine McNamara. Shannon is a very reserved character, and yet it feels like she wears her heart on her sleeve. She also has to kick a lot of ass and we needed someone agile, McNamara seemed to fit well, until the idea of Newton came to mind, she’s just so tiny, and seems so vulnerable, and yet portrays the character with such ferocity. It was perfect, and after that, everything got easier.

VS GUIDE: In early reviews of the series people have been calling Shannon the “Protagonist” of the series. What do you say to that?

JAMES: I say, stay tuned. The thing about Beacon Hallows is that anyone can be the hero or the villain on any given day. Not everyone’s morality aligns, so the characters often find themselves in direct conflict with each other. You guys only got to see the first episode.

VSGUIDE: The Blackwell sister's conflict seemed to draw a lot of people in, but we can’t help be reminded of another constantly quarreling pair of siblings. The Salvatore’s from CW’s the Vampire Diaries. How are the Blackwell’s like the Salvatore's, and what makes them different?

JAMES: (Laughs), I think during early drafts we knew then that people would make that connection. What makes them similar is Shannon's hope that her sister can be saved. That her sister can be good. What makes them different, is that the Salvatore’s often found themselves fighting for the affection of a woman, and it took the love of a woman to ignite a spark of humanity within Damon. Their story was a lot about history repeating itself, and breaking violent cycles. The Blackwell’s are more about growth, and shedding the worst parts of themselves, in order to become what they think makes them the strongest versions of themselves, and the conflict is that they see the worst or weakest parts of themselves in each other.

VSGUIDE: Sounds like it’ll be a very complex story. We’ve covered the sisters, but my question is why would an over 100 year old werewolf want to ever go high school? For most of us, High School was the worst time. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

JAMES: I second that. But for Shannon, one of the things I love to unpack is her time as a human. She didn’t get the life everyone else did. Although she spends a lot of time hiding behind walls and excuses, we really get to dig into her emotional state, and I think it becomes very clear why being normal is something she’d desire.
VSGUIDE: While attending her first day at Beacon Hallows High, she meets a ragtag group of students who form a deep bond, and who begin to uncover the monsters and secrets in Beacon Hallows. How does she fit into that group, and why aren’t they more freaked out to meet a Werewolf!?

JAMES: I think I’d be pretty terrified too, but Emily being a witch already knew about monsters. For Matt, he gets dropped into the thick of it, and pretty much just reacts, or does what he needs to. Justin is kidnapped and put directly into harm's way, and gets an undeniable look at this evil, and each one of them are forced to make a choice. As for how Shannon fits into the group, it was really important to us that everyone have a different voice, a different way of speaking. If ever we had to change who said a line, we change the whole line to fit that character. Not only is Shannon the fighter of the group, but Shannon has seen the world, and knows what it really is. She knows there is real darkness out there, monsters who need stopping, and people who need protecting. She’s a firm guide for our inexperienced characters, she’s someone for them to look to when things get tough.

VSGUIDE: Well thank you for helping to shed some light on Shannon. Tune in next week for a look at a different character!