“Laura Vandervoort brings a fierce, vulnerable energy to Elena that elevates the material beyond typical genre fare. She's the reason to watch.”
Maureen Ryan
The Huffington Post

United States"The only female werewolf exists. And she's done running."
User Score
275 votes
Thirteen episodes in, and Bitten had already burned through its central question: what happens when the world's only female werewolf stops running from who she is? The answer unfolded over three seasons on Space and Syfy, from January 2014 to April 2016. Created by Daegan Fryklind and based on Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld novels, the series starred Laura Vandervoort as Elena Michaels, a freelance photographer whose bite came with a Pack, a past, and a whole lot of trouble.
The show distinguished itself from the glut of supernatural dramas by grounding its werewolf lore in pack politics and family dynamics. Elena wasn't just fighting monsters; she was wrestling with loyalty, identity, and the weight of being the only woman in a centuries-old male hierarchy. Filmed in and around Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario, the production leaned into practical effects for transformations, giving the wolf forms a tactile grit that CGI often lacks. Vandervoort, fresh off Smallville, trained extensively for the role and performed many of her own stunts.
Though it never broke into mainstream awards recognition, Bitten built a devoted fanbase, particularly among readers of Armstrong's books. The series was cancelled after three seasons, but the showrunners knew in advance and crafted a finale that gave closure rather than a cliffhanger. At its peak, the premiere drew about 1.2 million US viewers on Syfy, and the show remains a touchstone for fans of female-led genre television.
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Elena Michaels has spent a year in Toronto, building a normal life with her human boyfriend Philip. She works as a photographer, drinks coffee in cafes, and pretends she isn't a werewolf. But when a dead woman turns up on Pack territory near Bear Valley, New York, the Alpha calls her home. Elena is the only female werewolf in existence, and her tracking abilities are unmatched. The killer is a rogue Mutt named Daniel Santos, who is recruiting other Mutts to wage war against the Pack. Elena must choose between the human world she has built and the wolf family that needs her.
Season 1 establishes the Pack's hierarchy: Jeremy Danvers, the wise Alpha; his son Clayton, the fierce enforcer who turned Elena against her will; and loyal members like Nick Sorrentino. Elena's relationship with Clay is fraught with resentment and unresolved passion. By the season's end, she has helped defeat Santos's army but remains torn about her place in the Pack.
Season 2 expands the supernatural landscape. A coven of witches enters the picture, led by Paige Winterbourne, a young and powerful spellcaster. The Pack forms an uneasy alliance with the witches to combat a new threat: a secret organization that hunts supernatural beings. Elena grows more comfortable with her wolf side, but her bond with Clay is tested when his past actions come to light. Meanwhile, Rachel Sutton, Elena's human best friend, discovers the truth and begins developing her own magical abilities.
Season 3 raises the stakes with the arrival of a Russian werewolf faction led by Konstantine. They claim territory and resources, forcing the Pack to fight for survival. Elena learns that Sasha Antonov, a Russian werewolf, is her biological father. As the Russians close in, Elena must decide what kind of leader she wants to be. The season builds toward a confrontation that will determine not only the Pack's future but the secrecy of all werewolves. Throughout the series, the central tension remains: can Elena balance her humanity with her wolf nature, and can the Pack survive in a world that fears what it does not understand?
Bitten Promo season 1
Critical Consensus
Bitten earns points for Laura Vandervoort's committed performance and its moody, character-driven take on werewolf mythology. The series stumbles with uneven pacing and familiar genre tropes, but its focus on pack dynamics and a female protagonist offers a fresh angle for supernatural drama fans.
“Laura Vandervoort brings a fierce, vulnerable energy to Elena that elevates the material beyond typical genre fare. She's the reason to watch.”
Maureen Ryan
The Huffington Post
“Bitten is a surprisingly grounded take on werewolf mythology, more interested in family dynamics and pack politics than cheap scares. It's moody, atmospheric, and occasionally compelling.”
Neil Genzlinger
The New York Times
“The series struggles to find its footing in the first few episodes but eventually settles into a satisfying groove that rewards patient viewers. The chemistry between Vandervoort and Holt is palpable.”
Tim Goodman
The Hollywood Reporter
“While Bitten doesn't reinvent the werewolf wheel, it offers a refreshingly female-centric perspective on a genre dominated by male protagonists. The result is a show that feels both familiar and distinctive.”
Mark Perigard
Boston Herald
“The show's greatest asset is its commitment to character development over spectacle. When the action does come, it's visceral and effective, but Bitten is ultimately a story about belonging and identity.”
Chris Knight
National Post
Producers
John Morayniss, Patrick Banister, John Barbisan, Tecca Crosby, Daegan Fryklind
Canadian Screen Awards (2015)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Nominated
Canadian Screen Awards (2015)
Best Achievement in Make-Up: Nominated
Canadian Screen Awards (2016)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Nominated
Canadian Screen Awards (2016)
Best Achievement in Make-Up: Nominated
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