‘The Umbrella Academy’: Ellen Page Says Vanya Feels Like a ‘New Character’ in Season 2
Changes are coming when The Umbrella Academy Season 2 is released on Netflix starting Friday, July 31. The first season left fans on the edge of their seat. So naturally, everyone is ready to dive back into the mess created by the Hargreeves family. But in a recent interview, Ellen Page hinted viewers may not recognize Vanya when The Umbrella Academy returns for its second season. So here’s what to expect moving forward.
What happened to Vanya in ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 1?
In The Umbrella Academy Season 1, Vanya was introduced as the one Hargreeves child who didn’t have special powers. However, she turned out to be the most powerful of all. Vanya can manipulate sound into energy, and her ability to do so is tied to her emotions.
When Vanya learned about her powers on The Umbrella Academy, she realized Reginald suppressed her emotions. As a result, she broke down and became The White Violin. Then in the finale, Vanya went on a rampage, even killing Pogo (Adam Godley) for knowing the truth about her powers.
By the end of The Umbrella Academy Season 1 finale, the Hargreeves came together to stop Vanya from destroying the world. However, they were unable to escape the apocalypse, as Vanya shot a beam of energy at the moon. So Five (Aidan Gallagher) gathered his siblings and everyone jumped back in time.
[Spoiler Alert: The Umbrella Academy Season 2.]
Ellen Page discusses Vanya in ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 2
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada published in July 2020, Page teased what’s next for Vanya in The Umbrella Academy Season 2. And despite the character’s downfall in the first season, it seems Vanya will be rejuvenated when the Netflix series comes back.
“Vanya, at the beginning this season is quite different than last season,” Page said. “And in many ways, she felt like establishing a bit of a new character. At the end of the first season, we see her release a lot of energy, a lot of repressed emotions, anger, and trauma. It doesn’t benefit the world because she does blow up the moon.”
She continued, “But we find her in the beginning of the second season and she’s lighter, she’s happier, she’s more open. She can connect to her emotions, she can connect to other people, she falls in love for the first time.”
Page also noted Vanya’s journey in the second season was “fulfilling.” Though she didn’t exactly reveal whether or not her character’s path ends on a happy note.
“As an actor, it was about figuring out how she was going to exist,” Page said. “You know, the way she moves, the way she talks, the way she relates to people. Then going on her journey throughout the season was incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling as an actor.”
‘The Umbrella Academy’ showrunner shares why Vanya will be different in season 2
When speaking with Parade, The Umbrella Academy showrunner Steve Blackman opened up about Vanya in season 2, revealing why the character will be so different after causing so much destruction in the first season.
“In Season 2, Vanya will find a whole new Vanya,” Blackman said. “She doesn’t remember her actions just before she arrived. She gets a fresh start, which the other characters don’t get.”
Meanwhile, the showrunner confirmed Vanya won’t be pushed to the sidelines when the series returns.
“She doesn’t have to be the wallflower anymore,” Blackman said. “This year she can be assertive, and she can find herself in this new time period.”
While fans will surely enjoy Page’s performance as Vanya at the start of The Umbrella Academy Season 2, it’s a bit worrisome to think about what might happen if and when she regains her memory. But whatever rises when the Hargreeves show up in the 1960s, it’ll surely be one viewers won’t want to miss.
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