Skip to main content

Vanya (Ellen Page) is the most reserved of the Hargreeves siblings in The Umbrella Academy. Her transformation from the meekest Hargreeves into the White Violin is something fans of the source material will remember well. However, some fans might not have noticed the subtle nod the Netflix series gave to the comic book version of The Umbrella Academy villain. 

Vanya White Violin 'The Umbrella Academy'
Robert Sheehan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Ellen Page, Aidan Gallagher and Tom Hopper | Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix

Vanya always had powers 

After years of being shunned by her adoptive father for not having powers, Vanya discovers she has superhuman capabilities. Not only that, but she realizes she’s the most powerful of the Hargreeves siblings. 

As a child, Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore) noticed something unique about Vanya. Realizing what she was capable of, his solution was to suppress her abilities with medication to protect the world’s fate. When Vanya learns of her father’s actions — and her siblings’ choice to help him — she’s left feeling vulnerable, aggravated, and alone. 

Sir Reginald was only trying to do right by Vanya 

Reginald Hargreeves may not have been the kindest, most heart-warming father figure, but he wasn’t necessarily evil. While there are arguably better ways he could have dealt with Vanya’s volatile powers, Reginald did so in a way he saw fit. In medicating Vanya, he understood he was preventing her from destroying her world and in turn, the world around her. 

Vanya ends up ruining her life anyway 

Despite Reginald’s best attempts, Vanya ends up tearing her family apart by nearly killing her sister. Leonard Peabody (John Magaro), Vanya’s seemingly harmless student-turned-lover, carefully manipulates her into thinking her family is the enemy. When Leonard convinces Vanya to let her powers take over, chaos ensues. She kills Pogo, Sir Reginald’s chimp assistant, slits her sister’s throat, destroys the mansion, and ultimately causes the moon to explode, resulting in the world’s end. 

Leonard cleaning Vanya in the tub was an Easter Egg

If you’ve read The Umbrella Academy graphic novels, you know Vanya looks a lot different as the White Violin. Her appearance is a milky white figure resembling a walking, talking stringed instrument. In the Netflix series, Vanya maintains her physical form, but begins to glow stark white when she harnesses her powers. 

Related

‘The Umbrella Academy’: Why Didn’t Anyone Ask Klaus to Communicate With Ben Hargreeves?

Fans who have watched the series may have missed the Easter Egg showrunners Jeremy Slater and Steve Blackman included as a nod to the White Violin’s true form. After Vanya slices Allison’s (Emmy Raver-Lampman) throat with her bow, Leonard helps clean her up. While bathing her, three distinct trails of blood run down Vanya’s neck — a callback to the comic books pointed out by a Reddit user. 

Vanya’s future will play out differently in the Netflix series 

At the conclusion of season 1, all of the Hargreeves siblings — including Vanya — transport to another place and time thanks to Number Five (Aidan Gallagher). Her fate differs significantly from the way things pan out for Vanya in the graphic novels, where Five shoots her in the head, leaving her paralyzed. Fans are excited for the release of season 2 on July 31 to learn more about the White Violin’s future.

Best in Entertainment