Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Wolf Lake
View on Wikipedia
| Wolf Lake | |
|---|---|
A poster promoting the launch of the series. | |
| Genre | Supernatural drama |
| Created by | John Leekley |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme | "Quiet the Night" by Ran Galor |
| Composer | David Schwartz |
| Country of origin |
|
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | September 19 – October 24, 2001 |
| Network | UPN |
| Release | April 10 – May 1, 2002 |
Wolf Lake is an American supernatural drama television series that originally aired on CBS from September 19 to October 24, 2001. Nine episodes were produced, but only five aired before the series was canceled by CBS. The full series, including the four unaired episodes, was later picked up and broadcast on UPN in April–May 2002.[1][2] Wolf Lake depicts a pack of werewolves living in a Seattle suburb.
Summary
[edit]Seattle policeman John Kanin proposes marriage to his girlfriend, Ruby Wilder, and she accepts. However, as she gets into her car, she is attacked. The only thing Kanin finds of his now fiancee, is a severed hand. He travels to her hometown of Wolf Lake to find some answers. However, his experiences there raise even more questions. What John doesn't know is that some of the inhabitants of Wolf Lake are actually werewolves. The werewolves, or the ones who survive the change, live on the "Hill" and enjoy special treatment, separated from the normal humans.[3]
Cast
[edit]Main
[edit]- Lou Diamond Phillips as Noah Cassidy (unaired pilot) & Detective/Officer John Kanin
- Paul Wesley as Lucas "Luke" Cates
- Stacy Edwards as Alexandra Kelly (unaired pilot)
- Jeff Fahey as Russell Kelly (unaired pilot)
- Bruce McGill as Dr. Sokolov (unaired pilot & Willard "Will" Cates (recurring; episodes 13)
- Tim Matheson as Sheriff Jack Kohanek (unaired pilot) & Sheriff Matthew "Matt" Donner
- Graham Greene as Professor Duke Joseph (unaired pilot) & Mr. Sherman Blackstone
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Sophia Donner
- Sharon Lawrence as Vivian "V" Cates
- Scott Bairstow as Tyler Creed
- Mia Kirshner as Ruby Wilder/Cates/Creed
Recurring
[edit]- Kellie Waymire as Miranda Devereaux
- Fiona Scott as Presley
- Carmen Moore as Deputy Molly
- Christian Bocher as Buddy Hooks
Guest stars
[edit]- Bill Mondy
- Gregory Itzin
- Sam Anderson
- Levi James
- Craig Olejnik
- Sarah Carter
- Ralph J. Alderman
- Craig Bruhnanski
- Steve Makaj
- Kelly Dean Sereda
- Deanne Henry
- Ryan Robbins
- Jodelle Ferland
Episodes
[edit]The first five episodes of Wolf Lake aired on CBS in September–October 2001, before CBS pulled the series from the air. The series later was reaired on UPN, with the final four episodes debuting on UPN in April–May 2002.
| No. | Title | Directed by [4] | Written by | Original release date [4] | US viewers (millions) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | ||||||||||||
| 1 | "Meat The Parents" | Bryan Spicer | Alex Gansa & Rick Kellard | September 19, 2001 | 8.69[5] | |||||||
| 2 | "The Changing" | Dwight Little | Daniel Knauf | September 26, 2001 | 7.54[6] | |||||||
| 3 | "Soup to Nuts" | Joe Chappelle | Roger Director | October 3, 2001 | 6.70[7] | |||||||
| 4 | "Tastes Like Chicken" | Rachel Talalay | Philip Levens | October 10, 2001 | 5.91[8] | |||||||
| 5 | "Excitable Boy" | Po Chih Leong | Toni Graphia | October 24, 2001 | 6.11[9] | |||||||
| UPN | ||||||||||||
| 6 | "Four Feet Under" | Winrich Kolbe | Roger Director & Daniel Knauf | April 10, 2002 | 2.64[10] | |||||||
| 7 | "Leader of the Pack" | James Head | James Duff | April 17, 2002 | 2.3[11] | |||||||
| 8 | "Legend of Lost Lenore" | Joe Chappelle | Rick Kellard | April 24, 2002 | 2.96[12] | |||||||
| 9 | "If These Wolves Could Talk" | Thomas J. Wright | Story by : Roger Director & Rick Kellard Teleplay by : James Duff & Philip Levens | May 1, 2002 | 2.56[13] | |||||||
Broadcast
[edit]ITV bought the rights to show the series in the United Kingdom.[citation needed] In August 2006, the Sci Fi Channel bought the syndication rights to reair the series in the United States.[14]
Home media
[edit]The series was made available on DVD in 2012.[15]
Reception
[edit]This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2023) |
On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an aggregated score of 20% based on 2 positive and 8 negative critic reviews. The website’s consensus reads: "Wolf Lake's ill-defined story and uninvolving sense of mystery make it a yawn-inducing watch."[16]
While Ron Wertheimer of The New York Times said it was "a promisingly quirky pilot",[17] Variety's Michael Speier remarked that it "sometimes works as high drama but sometimes comes off as extremely silly".[3]
While the series was poorly rated, it received two Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.[18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ Grego, Melissa (February 25, 2002). "UPN eyes sibling's 'Wolf Lake'". Variety. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (April 3, 2002). "'Wolf Lake' moves from CBS to UPN". Deseret News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Speier, Michael (September 9, 2001). "Wolf Lake". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ a b From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "Wolf Lake"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 17–23, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. September 28, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 24–30, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. October 3, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 1-7, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. October 10, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 8-14, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. October 17, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 22-28, 2001)". The Los Angeles Times. October 31, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 8–14, 2002)". The Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2002. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "TV Listings for – April 17, 2002". TV Tango. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 22–28, 2002)". The Los Angeles Times. May 1, 2002. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "National Nielsen Viewership (April 29-May 5, 2002)". The Los Angeles Times. May 8, 2002. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sci Fi Channel Closes Major Deal With CBS Paramount to Acquire Rights for Telefilms and Series Including 'Star Trek: Enterprise'" (Press release). Sci Fi Channel. August 2, 2006. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "Wolf Lake: Additional Bonus Material Announced" (Press release). TV Shows on DVD. October 8, 2012. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
- ^ "Wolf Lake - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Wertheimer, Ron (September 12, 2001). "TELEVISION REVIEW - A Nice Hometown Girl With Orange-Green Eyes". The New York Times. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ "Wolf Lake". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
- ^ Adalian, Josef; Schneider, Michael (July 18, 2002). "Emmy's full of tiny tidbits". Variety. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
External links
[edit]Wolf Lake
View on GrokipediaPremise
Plot
Seattle police detective John Kanin arrives in the isolated town of Wolf Lake, Washington, to search for his missing girlfriend, Ruby Cates, who disappeared after being attacked one night in Seattle.[3][9] As Kanin investigates, he uncovers the town's hidden secret: a community divided between humans, referred to as "ungulates," and werewolves known as "Wolfers," who live in tense coexistence amid frequent human disappearances.[10][9] Central to the narrative is Ruby's transformation into a Wolfer following the attack, which draws her back to Wolf Lake and entangles her in the town's supernatural dynamics.[11] The Cates family, led by influential pack alpha Willard Cates, exerts significant control over the Wolfer population, fueling power struggles with local authorities, including the sheriff, who grapples with enforcing secrecy while navigating his own Wolfer heritage.[3] Kanin's quest leads him deeper into this world, forcing confrontations with the community's ancient rules and rivalries.[4] Throughout the series, Kanin pursues the truth about Ruby's fate and the town's mysteries, while Ruby contends with her emerging Wolfer identity and loyalties to her family. The sheriff works to preserve the fragile balance between ungulates and Wolfers, often mediating escalating conflicts that threaten exposure.[3] These arcs highlight themes of identity, belonging, and the clash between human law and supernatural instincts.[9] The narrative culminates in the four unaired episodes broadcast on UPN in April–May 2002, resolving key threats through intensified family rivalries within the Cates clan and moments of personal redemption amid the power vacuum following Willard Cates's health decline.[10][12]Setting and mythology
The fictional town of Wolf Lake serves as the primary setting for the series, depicted as a secluded Seattle suburb in the Pacific Northwest, characterized by dense forests, misty lakes, and isolated communities that underscore the theme of concealed supernatural secrets. This remote, mountainous environment fosters an atmosphere of mystery and isolation, where the natural landscape mirrors the hidden lives of its inhabitants.[13][9] In the series' mythology, werewolves, referred to as "Wolfers," coexist with humans in this community, possessing the ability to transform at will into wolves rather than being bound by lunar cycles. This voluntary shape-shifting distinguishes them from traditional werewolf depictions, emphasizing a deeper spiritual and personal transformation over mere physical change. The initial transformation, known as "the flip" or "the change," typically occurs during adolescence and is a perilous rite of passage, with many not surviving due to its intensity, often triggered by strong emotions like anger or lust. Pure white wolves, such as those exemplified by certain characters, are rare and hold symbolic significance within the lore.[14][2] Werewolf society operates under a strict pack hierarchy, prioritizing collective survival and loyalty, with alpha leaders like the influential Cates family maintaining control as the dominant force in Wolf Lake. Willard Cates, for instance, embodies this authority as the pack alpha while also serving as chairman of the local brewery, blending supernatural governance with everyday community roles. Tensions arise from prejudices between Wolfers, who sometimes view humans derogatorily as "ungulates," and non-werewolves, highlighting divisions within the town. Hybrids or those navigating dual identities face profound internal conflicts, blurring the boundaries between human rationality and primal instincts.[11][14] The mythology incorporates Native American influences through figures like Sherman Blackstone, a enigmatic teacher and keeper of the pack's ancient lore, who guides young werewolves post-transformation and embodies mystical traditions tied to the community's origins. Rules emphasize pack cohesion and severe penalties for violations, such as the death penalty for assaulting pack members, reinforcing themes of family loyalty and the consequences of disrupting harmony. Overall, the series explores otherness and prejudice, portraying the werewolf existence as a metaphor for societal marginalization and the eternal struggle between civilized restraint and beastly urges, as seen through the lens of outsiders like detective John Kanin.[15][11][2]Production
Development
Wolf Lake was developed by television writer and producer John Leekley, who was approached by CBS in late 2000 to create a supernatural drama series centered on werewolf mythology. The initial pilot script, written by Leekley, emphasized horror elements inspired by traditional werewolf folklore and procedural supernatural storytelling akin to The X-Files, focusing on a secretive community of shapeshifters in the Pacific Northwest. Leekley's background in genre television, including executive producing the vampire series Kindred: The Embraced and adapting the comic Spawn, informed the project's dark, transformation-driven narrative.[2][16] In May 2001, CBS greenlit the series for production, with Leekley serving as executive producer alongside others. However, significant rewrites followed shortly after the pickup, overhauling the original pilot entirely—no scenes from Leekley's version were retained in the aired premiere. The revisions shifted the protagonist from a federal agent investigating the town to Seattle detective John Kanin (played by Lou Diamond Phillips), who arrives searching for his missing girlfriend, while broadening appeal by toning down violence and emphasizing sex appeal through a lighter, more serialized dramatic tone aimed at a younger audience. These changes included incorporating rock music montages and recasting key roles, such as adding Sharon Lawrence and removing actors like Stacy Edwards and Jeff Fahey, to transform the concept into a gothic soap opera style similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[17][2][13] Creative tensions arose over these alterations, leading to Leekley's departure as showrunner in June 2001 after disputes with network executives regarding the project's direction. He was replaced by Alex Gansa, a veteran of The X-Files, who took over as executive producer with Rick Kellard and others to "rescue" the series and ensure long-term plot sustainability. Leekley remained credited as creator and provided occasional consultation but stepped back from day-to-day involvement. The overhaul reflected CBS's aim for a more accessible, ongoing drama rather than a strictly horror anthology.[17][2][13] CBS initially ordered nine episodes for the series, signaling cautious commitment amid the competitive fall 2001 schedule, though early production indicators and network feedback foreshadowed potential truncation before filming wrapped. This limited order constrained the exploration of the expansive mythology Leekley had envisioned, prioritizing character-driven serialization over standalone horror tales.[18][19]Filming and cancellation
Principal photography for Wolf Lake primarily took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, doubling as the series' fictional Pacific Northwest setting. Exteriors were shot in forested areas around the city to capture the rural, wooded environments central to the plot, while interior scenes were filmed at Lion's Gate Studios in North Vancouver.[20][9] Production began in the summer of 2001 under Big Ticket Television in association with CBS Productions, aligning with the series' planned fall premiere.[9] CBS aired the first five episodes from September 19 to October 24, 2001, before pulling the series due to low viewership, with the premiere attracting 8.7 million viewers and later episodes declining to approximately 6 million. Contributing factors included a challenging post-9/11 broadcasting climate marked by frequent preemptions for news coverage and special programming, as well as marketing that struggled to define a clear audience demographic.[21][22] The network initially shelved the remaining four episodes of the nine-episode order. In April 2002, UPN picked up the series for a complete run, beginning with a re-airing of the premiere episode on April 3 and airing the four previously unaired episodes through May 1, which enabled the resolution of key story arcs. However, with production already concluded and the cast and crew dispersed to other projects, no additional seasons were developed.[21][23]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of Wolf Lake features a ensemble of actors portraying central characters in the supernatural thriller set in the werewolf-infested town. Lou Diamond Phillips stars as John Kanin, a stoic Seattle detective thrust into the supernatural world upon arriving in Wolf Lake to search for his missing fiancée.[3] Tim Matheson portrays Sheriff Matthew Donner, an ambiguous law enforcer tasked with protecting the town's secrets while navigating his own ties to the community.[18] Mia Kirshner plays Ruby Cates, Kanin's fiancée and a reluctant werewolf grappling with intense family pressures from the dominant pack.[3] Sharon Lawrence embodies Vivian Cates, the ruthless matriarch leading the powerful Cates werewolf pack with unyielding authority.[24] Graham Greene appears as Sherman Blackstone, a wise Native American guide and bar owner possessing extensive knowledge of the town's hidden lore and history.[24] Bruce McGill depicts Brother Jack, an eccentric religious figure entangled in the underbelly of Wolf Lake's secretive society.[18] Scott Bairstow takes on the role of Tyler Creed, an antagonistic young alpha werewolf positioned as Ruby's forced suitor amid escalating pack rivalries.[24] Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as Sophia Donner, the sheriff's rebellious daughter as she begins to explore and confront her latent werewolf heritage.[18] Paul Wesley portrays Luke Cates, Vivian's devoted son who represents unwavering pack loyalty while facing internal conflicts.[18]Recurring and guest cast
Carmen Moore portrayed Deputy Molly Bloom, a sheriff's department member with subtle ties to the town's hidden werewolf society, appearing in all nine episodes to support investigations and reveal local undercurrents.[18] Christian Bocher played Buddy Hooks, a quirky resident entangled in community and pack-related subplots, featuring in seven episodes.[18] Kellie Waymire appeared as Miranda Devereaux across five episodes, embodying a resident whose interactions deepened the mythological elements of Wolf Lake's ecosystem.[18] Fiona Scott recurred as Presley in six episodes, contributing to depictions of everyday town life amid supernatural tensions.[18] Additional recurring support came from Levi James as Randy and Ralph Alderman as Rusty, each in four episodes, fleshing out the social fabric and aiding procedural aspects of the story.[25] Notable guest stars enriched episodic arcs with external conflicts and revelations. Gregory Itzin guest-starred as Gerald Carter, a influential figure in the pack's hierarchy, in the episode "Leader of the Pack," heightening political intrigue.[26] Sam Anderson appeared as Arthur Van Halen in the series finale "Wolf Moon," portraying a character linked to climactic threats.[18] Sarah Carter featured as Brianna in "The Changing," introducing a fleeting romantic and mysterious element that intersected with main characters' pursuits. Other one-off guests, such as Craig Olejnik in minor antagonistic roles, often depicted rival elements or victims that escalated the werewolf incursions and personal stakes.[18] These appearances collectively expanded the town's lore without overshadowing the principals.Episodes
Production and overview
Wolf Lake consists of a single season comprising ten produced episodes (including an unaired pilot), with nine aired, each with a running time of approximately 44 minutes excluding commercials.[12] An unaired pilot was produced, directed by Rupert Wainwright and written by creator John Leekley.[12] The series was created by John Leekley, who departed early in production and was replaced as showrunner by executive producer Alex Gansa, leading to a writing team that included Philip Levens, Daniel Knauf, Roger Director, James Duff, and others for subsequent episodes.[17][18] This shift occurred after CBS requested changes to the original concept, resulting in nine episodes scripted by the new team to blend procedural mystery elements with overarching werewolf mythology.[9] The episodes were directed by a roster of television talents, including Joe Chappelle (two episodes), alongside Bryan Spicer, Dwight H. Little, Rachel Talalay, Po-Chih Leong, Winrich Kolbe, James Head, and Thomas J. Wright.[18] Filming took place primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia, under production companies Cherry Pie Productions and Big Ticket Television in association with CBS Productions.[9] Structurally, the season divides into an initial CBS arc of the first five episodes, which focused on introducing characters and the central mysteries of the werewolf community, and a subsequent UPN arc of the remaining four episodes to resolve key conflicts.[3] The four episodes unaired by CBS—later broadcast on UPN—delved deeper into the lore, expanding on mythological elements like pack dynamics and transformations.[12] The score was composed by David Schwartz.[27]Episode list
The first season of Wolf Lake consists of nine aired episodes, with the initial five broadcast on CBS from September 19 to October 24, 2001, before the network canceled the series due to declining ratings. The remaining four episodes aired on UPN starting April 10, 2002, attracting a smaller but more stable audience of approximately 2–3 million viewers per episode.[21][1]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Viewers (millions) | Brief description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meat the Parents | Bryan Spicer | Alex Gansa, Rick Kellard, Philip Levens | September 19, 2001 (CBS) | 8.7 | Detective John Kanin arrives in the isolated town of Wolf Lake in search of his missing fiancée.[28][21][1] |
| 2 | The Changing | Dwight H. Little | Daniel Knauf, Philip Levens | September 26, 2001 (CBS) | 6.0 | Kanin investigates local tensions as a young resident experiences a pivotal personal crisis.[29][30][1] |
| 3 | Soup to Nuts | Joe Chappelle | Roger Director | October 3, 2001 (CBS) | 5.2 | Community dynamics intensify as Kanin uncovers hints of the town's hidden undercurrents.[31][32][1] |
| 4 | Tastes Like Chicken | Rachel Talalay | Philip Levens | October 10, 2001 (CBS) | 4.8 | Kanin delves deeper into suspicious disappearances linked to the local power structure.[33][1] |
| 5 | Excitable Boy | Po-Chih Leong | Toni Graphia, Philip Levens | October 24, 2001 (CBS) | 4.2 | A volatile incident forces Kanin to confront key figures in Wolf Lake's enigmatic society.[34][32][1] |
| 6 | Four Feet Under | Winrich Kolbe | Roger Director, Daniel Knauf | April 10, 2002 (UPN) | 2.8 | Kanin navigates alliances amid escalating conflicts within the town's leadership.[35][1] |
| 7 | Leader of the Pack | James Head | James Duff, Philip Levens | April 17, 2002 (UPN) | 2.6 | Power struggles among residents come to the forefront as Kanin seeks answers about his past.[26][1] |
| 8 | Legend of Lost Lenore | Joe Chappelle | Rick Kellard, Philip Levens | April 24, 2002 (UPN) | 2.6 | Ancient town lore influences current events, drawing Kanin into deeper mysteries.[36][37][1] |
| 9 | If These Wolves Could Talk | Thomas J. Wright | James Duff, Philip Levens, Roger Director | May 1, 2002 (UPN) | 2.5 | Revelations about loyalties culminate in a tense confrontation over Wolf Lake's future.[38][1] |
