Shadowhunters (2016 -)

I love ‘Shadowhunters’. It’s addictive, and happily it is still currently running, all episodes on Netflix too. If you like the supernatural, fantasy kind of shows then this one should be at the top of your list. It is full of action, adventure and romance. You may have heard it from elsewhere as it’s loosely based on the novel ‘The Mortal Instruments’ by Cassandra Clare, and there is also a film of the same name as the book, starring Lily Collins. Personally, I prefer the TV programme to the film. Maybe that’s just because there’s more detail and it lasts longer.

So if you don’t know what it’s about or you’ve never even heard of it, then here is plot. On Clary’s (Katherine McNamara) 18^th birthday, she thought all she needed to worry about was whether she was good enough to get into the Brooklyn Academy of Art, but that changes all in eight hours. Her birthday kicks off and ends with a bang and a change in person, she had no idea how important it was that she was no longer a child. To keep her daughter from harm, Clary’s mother, Jocelyn (Maxim Roy) , removed memories and secrets were made. Dangerous secrets. Jocelyn hid the true self Clary was, and on her 18^th birthday, Clary’s “sight” was beginning to return, and this is where everything changes. On a quest to find her mother, who was taken that very day, Clary has to discover who she is as a Shadowhunter and on the way meets, to say the least, a few demons. Demons are introduced to us pretty quickly in this programme. Here we meet a load of other Shadowhunters, including Jace (played by Dominic Sherwood). There there’s the Lightwood siblings, Alec (Matthew Daddario) and Isabelle (Emeraude Toubia), two of the best characters. Then there’s the downworlders, the warlocks (such as Magnus Bane, played by Harry Shum Jr. – recognisable playing a very different character in ‘Glee’), vampires (for example Raphael, played by David Castro), werewolves (Luke, played by Isaiah Mustafa), and finally, seelies (like faeries who can’t lie). Oh and I can’t forget, Clary’s loyal best friend, Simon (Alberto Rosende), who ends up wrapped in Clary’s life as well.

So a bit more detail about the characters. The main protagonist is Clary, her personality is determined and strong. She holds as a good main character, but of course there are the others to stand there strong too. I can’t say Clary is my favourite character, mostly because her acting isn’t amazing, but regardless I don’t think this takes anything away from the show and the other characters are brilliant. Firstly, Jace. His character is great, he’s mysterious but his strength is brutal and he’s big-headed. Most importantly his loyalty and love is silent but powerful. Then there’s Alec, a confusion in his life to who he is, it’s beautifully done. Alec comes across as tough and blunt, but deep down he is protective as anything. His skills shown through the archery. I love Alec, he has to be one of my favourite characters. The final key Shadowhunter, Isabelle. The fierce and confident one, the one to be honest, I wouldn’t quite mind looking like. She’s the one to calm Alec down, brother and sister as close friends. Isabelle, again, is one of my favourite characters, her strength and struggles really becomes recognised in later series. Lastly, Simon, who aspires to be a singer. Who from the beginning you know he has a deep love for his best friend, but he has stereotypically been friend-zoned from a young age. Unfortunately, he’s a mundane, which means he cannot see any of the shadow world that Clary has just fallen into. Simon is a fab character, one that grows so much but becomes more loved too. All the characters are different in their own way, but they all bring so much to the programme and I do love them all.

A lot happens in this show, and there never really seems to be a moment where nothing is happening. Something always leads onto something else, seasons ending in cliff-hangers, never fully completing a task they’ve been set. There is a lot of romance in this show as well, I actually get so invested in this part, with will they won’t they, do they ever finally get together? It is definitely played well and keeps you hooked. This is also a programme of a lot of secrets, secret after secret and you’re shocked or left thinking it could be false. ‘Shadowhunters’ covers a lot of plots at once, a lot does happen in an episode, I don’t think I’ve watched a boring one yet. The first episode is intriguing, jumping from Clary’s unknown mind to the institute of fighting demons. Therefore, you’re immediately drawn in wanting to know everything Clary needs to know. You do discover a lot in the first episode, for example the enemy, the main antagonist, but don’t worry there are many unanswered questions left behind.

I would definitely recommend that you watch this TV programme, especially if you like the supernatural types, if not then stay clear from this one. The whole programme revolves around the supernatural, the shadow world. It’s cleverly directed, some episodes directed by Paul Wesley himself (Stefan from ‘The Vampire Diaries’ if you didn’t know). You get warped into this fantasy life pretty quickly, just like Clary does and she is a strong character to watch things from.