Ellen Page On What ‘Umbrella Academy’ Has That Other Superhero Shows Don’t

While the last year has been a dark one for superhero TV series with several beloved shows getting the axe, Netflix original The Umbrella Academy is showing no signs of slowing down after winning audiences over upon its release.

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The telly adaptation of the comic book series of the same name, created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, stars Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, and Justin Min, all of whom will reprise their roles in the freshly announced second season.

With production set to begin this winter in Toronto, Canada, we chatted with queen Ellen Page about what sets the series apart from its superhero peers.

What drew you to the role?

I was very fascinated by [Vanya] and I sort of related to her. I felt like I could really dig deep into the journey that she goes through.

These kids get in horribly dangerous situations and they become famous child stars and are exploited to sell merchandise: the comics, the action figures etc and it’s ultimately all for the benefit of their narcissistic father and that is interesting. That is gonna lead to some interesting drama.

What aspects of the character did you relate to?

The experience of feeling disconnected from one’s emotions and from the world a bit and then having to go on a journey of self-realisation. I related to that as I feel like a lot of people have.

There are so many superhero films and TV shows out there, what is it about this one in particular that stands out?

I guess to be honest, this isn’t saying anything about other superheroes by any means, but I just never really think that’s what we’re making most of the time. What I was drawn to in the story was the extremely dysfunctional relationship between all of the siblings and it has so much to do with the abusive childhood they had and really to me the story is that and it’s grounded in something that is very much a family drama.

The superhero element feels organic and an extension of the characters emotionally in many ways and it feels sort of on the side and that was fascinating to me and why I thought it would be something different and new and it’s nice to see that people are into it because it’s so fun to make.

The show already has such a huge fan base after just one season, what do you think it is that’s drawn people in?

It’s fun, it’s new, it’s tonally interesting and ultimately it has this course that’s deeply relatable and deeply emotional and I think it works for people with all kinds of interests in terms of what they like to watch.

What do you hope viewers get from watching the series?

On a really simple level you hope people go on an amazing ride that gives them everything and I do think the show does that in terms of emotions and something new and interesting and tonally cool. I hope people go on this amazing, fun ride that they start watching and can’t stop.

The story is meaningful to me because we’re watching these characters who, at the beginning, are dealing with these real life struggles and I think all humans can relate to these obstacles from our past and from our family and I really related to the journeys that these characters go on and I imagine a lot of people will too.

What do you hope viewers get from watching the series?

On a really simple level it’s just like you hope people go on a really amazing ride that gives them everything and I do think the show does that in terms of emotions and something new and interesting and tonally cool. I hope people start watching and can’t stop.

The story is meaningful to me because we’re watching these characters who, at the beginning, are dealing with these real life struggles and I think all humans can relate to these obstacles from our past and from our family and I really related to the journeys that these characters go on and I imagine a lot of people will too.

You’ve just been renewed for a second season. Yay! What would you like to see happen to your character in season 2?

There is something specific that is going to happen that I’m so excited for but I can’t say what it is because they will fire me [laughs].

Umbrella Academy season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

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