How a 1980s romantic drama was reimagined as a modern science fiction police procedural
In short: When The CW reimagined the classic fairy tale for a 2012 audience, they traded mystery for a procedural twist. Starring Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan, the series followed an NYPD detective and an ex-soldier with a secret, sparking polarized reactions from critics while finding a dedicated audience over four seasons.
Developed by Sherri Cooper-Landsman and Jennifer Levin, the 2012 version of Beauty & the Beast was the first project Mark Pedowitz oversaw upon joining The CW. Unlike the 1987 CBS original, which leaned into romantic drama and suspense, this iteration was pitched as a modern romantic love story infused with a police procedural structure. The narrative centers on Catherine Chandler, an NYPD detective who discovers that Vincent Keller, a man presumed dead in military action, is alive and hiding a transformative secret.
Production was primarily based in Toronto, Canada, though filming expanded to include New York City starting in the second season. The series faced significant critical headwinds from the start. Metacritic assigned it a weighted average score of 34 out of 100, reflecting generally unfavorable sentiment. Critics like David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle described the writing as overheated and unconvincing, while others compared the titular beast unfavorably to the Hulk. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 19% critics' approval rating for the first season, though audience reception was notably warmer, reaching 76%.
Despite the critical divide, the show maintained a consistent presence on the network, running for four seasons between 2012 and 2016. It earned recognition from various industry bodies, including the People's Choice Awards and the Canadian Screen Awards. While some reviewers dismissed the show as middling, others, such as Mary McNamara, found bright spots in the cast, specifically praising Nina Lisandrello’s performance as Tess Vargas. The series eventually moved into syndication and streaming, and its legacy includes a series of tie-in novels by author Nancy Holder.
The show's production timeline was steady, with renewals often occurring before the conclusion of the preceding season. By the time the fourth season was announced as the final chapter in October 2015, the production had navigated multiple shifts in filming locations and cast dynamics. Ultimately, the series serves as an example of how network television attempts to modernize established folklore, balancing the demands of a core demographic against the scrutiny of professional critics.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Beauty & the Beast (2012 TV series)
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