The Purge (TV series)

Did You Know?

• Actress Hannah Emily Anderson reflected on the Season 1 Finale in a July 2020 interview, calling it 'satisfying and exhilarating.'
• Joel Allen commented on the use of the God mask from the films in the TV series as 'like a gift from the writers.'
• The first season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in Region 1 on January 8, 2019.

Premise

The series is set in an alternate dystopian United States where a totalitarian government sanctions a 12-hour period legalizing all crimes, including vandalism, theft, arson, and murder. The second season begins as the 2036 Purge Night ends, following characters dealing with its consequences and investigating conspiracies in the year before the next purge in 2037. Storylines include ex-police officers turned bank robbers, an NFFA detective investigating suspicious killings of scientists, college fraternity members dealing with PTSD after a scavenger hunt, and a husband and wife who discover a hitman was sent to kill the husband.

Cast and characters

Gabriel Chavarria plays Miguel Guerrero, a US Marine who returns home on Purge Night after a cryptic message from his sister Penelope, played by Jessica Garza, a cult member pledged for sacrifice. Hannah Emily Anderson portrays Jenna Betancourt, an anti-Purge proponent who ventures out for the first time. Lili Simmons plays Lila Stanton, a rebellious young woman dealing with unfinished business. Amanda Warren is Jane Barbour, a finance professional who hires a Purge-assassin. Colin Woodell plays Rick Betancourt, climbing the social ladder with his wife. Lee Tergesen portrays Joe Owens, an armored man intervening in Purge violence. William Baldwin plays David Ryker, Jane's boss with a Purge Night secret. Reed Diamond is Albert Stanton, a New Founding Father. Fiona Dourif plays Good Leader Tavis, a cultist. Paulina Gálvez plays Catalina, the Stanton family's maid. Andrea Frankle plays Ellie Stanton. Jessica Miesel and Adam Stephenson play Alison and Mark Cantoff. The second season features a new cast including Derek Luke, Max Martini, Paola Núñez, and Joel Allen, with Cindy Robinson appearing as Megan Lewis.

Production

James DeMonaco hinted at a television series about the formation of the Purge, possibly dealing with how the New Founding Fathers were voted into office. In May 2017, it was reported that USA Network would premiere the series in 2018. The first season premiered on September 4, 2018, and was renewed for a second season on November 6, 2018, which premiered on October 15, 2019. The series was canceled on May 13, 2020, due to low viewership. Casting announcements began in February 2018 with Gabriel Chavarria and Jessica Garza, followed by Amanda Warren, Colin Woodell, Lili Simmons, Hannah Emily Anderson, Lee Tergesen, and William Baldwin in March and April 2018. Fiona Dourif was cast in May 2018. Filming for the first season began in May 2018. For the second season, Derek Luke, Max Martini, Paola Núñez, and Joel Allen were cast in June 2019.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a 42% approval rating based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 5.51/10. The critical consensus states: 'Bloated and boring, The Purge kills its own fleetingly fun premise and proves that not all stories work better on the small screen.' Metacritic assigned a score of 44 out of 100, indicating mixed or average reviews. The series was nominated for Best Action-Thriller Television Series at the Saturn Awards in 2019.