As far as supernatural TV shows go, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is the gold standard. Premiering in the late '90s, the show brought powerful female protagonist Buffy Summers to the forefront of mainstream television and allowed her to take the reins of her own story. To this day, Buffy remains one of the most influential characters ever created. Her strength, style, and sense of humor blend to create an unforgettable heroine.【0†L337-L339】
While many shows have tried to replicate the lightning-in-a-bottle effect that "Buffy" captured during its run, none have come quite as close as the supernatural Western series "Wynonna Earp." In fact, if you find yourself missing Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang's shenanigans, this is the show to watch.【0†L339-L341】
The Chosen One, Reimagined
It's easy to compare any supernatural series with a prominent female main character to "Buffy," but "Wynonna Earp" follows a similar blueprint: a young woman burdened with a destiny she never asked for. Based on a comic book series by Beau Smith, the show tells the story of Wynonna Earp, the great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Wyatt Earp.【0†L431-L433】 On her 27th birthday, she returns to her hometown and inherits a power that has been passed down through generations of Earps. Her role is to return revenants — the reincarnated outlaws killed by Wyatt Earp — to Hell.【0†L433-L435】
Accompanied by her sister and her great-great-grandfather's immortal best friend Doc Holliday, Wynonna attempts to keep the revenants from taking over the world.【0†L435-L436】
Monster-of-the-Week with a Deeper Mythology
Both "Buffy" and "Wynonna Earp" embrace the monster-of-the-week format, meaning each episode focuses on a different villain. However, there is usually a larger storyline that unfolds throughout each season before being wrapped up in the finale. This format is common in television, especially in supernatural shows.【0†L438-L440】
Much like in "Buffy," the setting is practically a character in itself. In "Buffy," the town of Sunnydale sits on the Hellmouth, making it a hotspot for supernatural activity. Similarly, "Wynonna Earp" is steeped in a history that goes all the way back to Wynonna's great-great-grandfather. Because of this, the show frequently reveals details about the past and explores Wynonna's struggle with the feeling that her family's legacy is haunting her, making the story accessible even to viewers who aren't well versed in the history of Wyatt Earp.【0†L443-L447】
Different Ages, Same Struggles
The shows' biggest difference is the ages of their protagonists: Buffy is a teenager when her series begins, while Wynonna is already an adult. Despite this age gap, they share many of the same struggles and apprehensions. Throughout "Buffy's" run, Buffy grapples with her identity while still trying to find herself as a young woman. Meanwhile, despite being older than Buffy, Wynonna finds it difficult to accept the fate handed down to her by her ancestors. Both women grapple with their roles before slowly learning to embrace them.【0†L448-L451】
There is also the obvious difference in genres: "Wynonna Earp" is a supernatural Western, whereas "Buffy" is more of a supernatural series with a much more comedic tone. But those differences are part of what makes the shows such great companion pieces.【0†L452-L453】
A Cult Classic That Endures
"Wynonna Earp" ran for four seasons from 2016 to 2021, developing a passionate fanbase that helped save the show from cancellation multiple times. The series starred Melanie Scrofano in the title role, with Tim Rozon as Doc Holliday and Katherine Barrell as Nicole Haught. A special, "Wynonna Earp: Vengeance," was released in 2024.【0†L436-L437】
A decade after its debut, "Wynonna Earp" remains the most worthy successor to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" — a show that understood that the best supernatural stories are ultimately about the people fighting the monsters, not the monsters themselves.