Wayward, a new series that started streaming today on Netflix, features an incredible cast, an intriguing concept, and the perfect tone for a spooky season psychological thriller. But there seems to be some confusion over the show’s connection to Wayward Pines, a FOX drama that ran from 2015 to 2016. So, are the two shows related?
From the mind of comedian Mae Martin, who previously debuted their stand-up special, SAP, on the streaming service back in 2023, Wayward also stars Academy Award nominee Toni Collette, 11/22/63 star Sarah Gadon, Blended and Chucky actress Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Canadian newcomer Sydney Topliffe.
Set in the fictional small town of Tall Pines, Vermont, the show follows a police officer (Martin) looking to start anew with their wife (Gadon), only to discover that the quaint city they now live in has some skeletons in its closet. Most of said skeletons connect to Tall Pines Academy, run by Evelyn (Collette), whose methods for reforming students are questionable. Lind and Topliffe star as Leila and Abbie, two Canadian teens who are taken under Evelyn’s wing at the school.
That said, it’s understandable why some can see a connection between Wayward and Wayward Pines. Fear not, we’re here to answer all your questions about how the shows are related. Keep reading to find out if they’re connected.
Nope! In no ways that matter, that is. While the shows both fit the bill of being spooky and having elements of mystery and thriller to them, the shows are not connected in any way.
No, Netflix’s new show Wayward is not a spinoff of Wayward Pines.
According to a description from Netflix, “Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for ‘troubled teens’, two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town’s dark and deeply rooted secrets.”
The show Wayward Pines follows Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon), who arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, at the beginning of the show, searching for two missing federal agents. The show also starred Carla Gugino, Terrence Howard, Toby Jones, Juliette Lewis, and more.
In total, there are eight episodes in the first season of Netflix’s Wayward. Each episode is roughly one hour long, which means you can comfortably binge the show in a day or over the weekend!
At this time, it’s unclear if Netflix or Martin has plans to bring the show back for another season. Although it’s always possible, especially if the show finds a cult-like following in the first few weeks and months after its debut.
In the meantime, you can watch the entire first season of Wayward, now streaming on Netflix. Looking to stream Wayward Pines? All episodes are available on Hulu.