In the midst of all the blockbuster superhero movies hitting theatres this year, Netflix is also debuting its own series centring a dysfunctional family of superheroes titled, “The Umbrella Academy”.
Based on the Dark Horse Comics written and created by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way and illustrator Gabriel Bá, “The Umbrella Academy” has everything from superheroes and aliens to time travel and talking chimpanzees. This ragtag of heroes may not be as well-known as The Avengers or Justice Leagues, but that’s about to change.
Set in 1977, “The Umbrella Academy” takes places in an alternate timeline where John F. Kennedy was never assassinated. One day, 43 infants are born to random women who were not pregnant when the day began. 7 of these miracle children were then adopted by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Each of them possesses a unique gift.
The Netflix series (10 episodes in total for season 1) follows the members of the dysfunctional superhero family who must work together in order to solve the mysterious murder of their father. Also at stake is the the imminent threat of a global apocalypse. Before “The Umbrella Academy” hits the small screen, let’s get to know the key characters a little better.
1. Spaceboy aka Luther Hargreeves (played by Tom Hopper)
“Luther was groomed by his father from an early age to be the leader of The Umbrella Academy – a responsibility that has always weighed heavily on him. He is resilient, a workaholic, and possesses the ability of heightened physical strength. Upstanding to a fault, Luther always tries to do the right thing, even if that means putting others before himself.”
- Superpower: Super strength
- You may have seen him in: “Black Sails”, “Game of Thrones”, “Merlin”.
2. The Kraken aka Diego Hargreeves (David Castañeda)
“Diego is a skilled, intense vigilante who has a real problem with authority. He isn’t as naturally strong or smart as his siblings, so he’s worked three times as hard for everything. Believing he should have been the leader of his family instead of his brother, Luther, he carries a massive chip on his shoulder that makes him hostile to just about everyone.”
- Superpower: Can hold his breath indefinitely; talented fighter with a knife
- You may have seen him in: “El Chicano”, “Sicario: Day of the Soldado”
3. The Rumor aka Allison Hargreeves (Emmy Raver-Lampman)
“Allison is a beautiful, elegant, and a formerly world-famous movie star who possesses the power of suggestion – anything she says aloud comes to pass. Her life seems perfect from the outside, but her ability has undermined every relationship she’s ever had. With her career on the decline and her marriage in shambles, she refuses to use her power as she seeks a more authentic life.”
- Superpower: Alter reality with lies
- You may have seen her in: “Hamilton”
4. The Séance aka Klaus Hargreeves (Robert Sheehan)
“Klaus is a drug addict and lovable mess of a human being and yet, if you ask him, any day now his life is going to turn around. He’s a classic ‘middle child’ – a disarming pleaser who is seemingly everyone’s friend, but will rob you blind without thinking twice.”
- Superpower: Telekinesis, levitation, can speak to the dead and possess the living
- You may have seen him in: “Misfits”, “Geostorm”, “The Mortal Engines”
5. The Boy (Aiden Gallagher)
The actual name of Number 5 is unknown. He once traveled back 20 years in the future and lived there for 50 years. When he returned to the present time, he became permanently stuck in his 10-year-old body.
- Superpower: Time travel
- You may have seen him in: “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn”
6. The Horror aka Ben Hargreeves
Out of all the 7 siblings, Number 6 is perhaps the most mysterious member of the Academy. Very little is known about The Horror except that he can summon inter-dimensional demons from beneath his skin. This usually comes from tentacles that sprout from his torso.
- Superpower: Summoning demons
7. The White Violin aka Vanya Hargreeves (Ellen Page)
Vanya is dubbed as the very ordinary Number Seven. She had a rough childhood where she was often reminded that she wasn’t special due to her perceived lack of superpowers. She makes up for it by being a violin virtuoso. The Apocalypse Suite comics actually reveals that she’s the most powerful member of the Academy.
- Superpower: Yields destructive waves of force through her violin
- You may have seen her in: “Inception”, “The Juno”, “X-Men”
BONUS
8. Cha-Cha & Hazel (Mary J. Blige & Cameron Britton)
“Cha-Cha is a ruthless and unorthodox hit-woman who travels through time to kill assigned targets. Even though she has a few gripes about the bureaucracy of her employers, this job is her life. She is sadistic, sociopathic, and her reputation precedes her.”
Meanwhile, Hazel is Cha-Cha’s partner-in-crime as they’re both psychotic neo-nazis, hired to work for the Temps Aeternalis. They were originally assigned to murder The Boy.
Watch the trailer here:
Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy” debuts 15th February 2019.
Source: Pop Buzz, What Culture.
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