10 Things We Learned About ‘Sweet/Vicious’ at the ATX Television Festival

The vibe during the Sweet/Vicious panel on June 10, 2017 during the ATX Television Festival can best be described as somber but enthusiastic.

The MTV series lasted for only one short season — a mere ten episodes — but in that time it managed to build up an enthusiastic fan base, the likes of which some shows that have been on the air far longer never get to see.

Sweet/Vicious (about two female college students acting as vigilantes and taking down unpunished rapists on campus) was sadly canceled by the network several months after the season finale.

But fans still have hope for the important show to find another home and continue on a new network — and so do the show’s cast and creatives. Here’s what we learned at the panel and Q&A, which took place after a screening of the pilot episode.

The panel was attended by creator Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, showrunner Amanda Lasher, executive producer Stacey Sher and series stars Taylor Dearden, Eliza Bennett, and Aisha Dee. It was moderated by TV critic Maureen Ryan.

1. The cast loves the pilot as much as we do

Unlike many other panels that are hybrid screening and Q&A sessions, the cast and crew did not wait off-stage during the screening before coming out for the panel portion. They were right there in the audience with us, watching the fantastic first episode they’d all created over a year ago.

Their excitement was infectious, and I spotted Taylor Dearden and Aisha Dee hugging several times during some of the more intense moments.

They were also particularly excited to witness the “Defying Gravity” sing-a-long scene on the big screen (and that moment didn’t disappoint).

2. The series was originally developed as a half-hour show

“I wrote it as an hour. Jules and Ophelia were in the swing of vigilante murdering in Williamsburg, and then it flashed into their origin story in college,” Robinson explained of the original concept for the series. “MTV read it and they said, ‘We want it to just be college, and we want it to be a half-hour.'”

After shooting the half-hour pilot, the creatives and the network all felt that it went too quickly, so it was once again re-developed as an hour-long show, focusing solely on the girls in college.

3. Eliza Bennett and Taylor Dearden auditioned together

According to Bennett, the casting directors wanted to audition for the roles of Jules and Ophelia together. The creatives wanted to be sure they got the chemistry for the two lead roles right before committing to any one actress for either role.

That said, Bennett and Dearden bonded immediately before even auditioning. Dearden helped Bennett check the tire pressure on her car, and they told one another that they hoped they got the parts together.

4. Eliza Bennett found out that many of her own friends had been raped

The cast discussed the research they had each done when preparing for the show, including speaking with real survivors of sexual assault. For Bennett, that led to an unsettling personal revelation.

“That’s when I found out that half of my friends had been raped and had never told anyone,” she said tearfully. “I just think it’s everywhere, and we have no idea. That’s why I’m so sad this show has been canceled.”

5. Aisha Dee came to the set just to watch the fight scenes

Pointing specifically to the Sweet/Vicious Season 1 Episode 4 sorority fight scenes, Dee explained that she just “loved so much” to see Bennett and Dearden throwing kicks and filming the fight scenes. She would show up on set just to watch them filming.

“I would sit there watching them beat up a bunch of bad sorority girls, and I would literally be crying,” Dee said.

6. Taylor Dearden has been this hilarious basically since birth

When asked about how she would transition from the more dramatic to comedic moments so seamlessly, Dearden explained that it came naturally to her to use comedy as a form of deflection. One of the producers even told a story about Dearden’s mom coming to set. “Your mom was on set one day, and I asked, ‘Has she always had this comedic timing?’ And she said, ‘Yes, since she was two.'”

7. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson always intended to tell the story of a queer survivor

When an audience member asked if they had considered a storyline for a LGBTQ survivor, Robinson gave an unequivocal yes. “Those stories were and are very important to us,” the creator said, explaining that much of the first season was devoted to Jules’ story and resulted in a lack of time for exploring other survivor stories.

“There are all different experiences […] We wanted to tell all these stories. And we still do. It’s something that was part of our Season 2 pitch that we put together.”

8. Fans should remain vocal in order to save the show

Robinson instructed fans who want a second season to spam Neflix’s request page with requests for more Sweet/Vicious.

“[S]tay vocal and tweeting to the network, because I do think those optics matter,” she said. “As the industry changes and grows, I think that matters more than ratings.” The hashtag of choice for renewal is #SaveSweetVicious.

9. They found four studios willing to continue to work with them

Good news, Sweet/Vicious fans: Season 2 is still a real hope, though not at MTV.

“We found four studios, so all we really need is a network right now. We’re still incredibly hopeful. [MTV] has been very gracious and have kind of said that they’ll make it very easy for us,” executive producer Stacy Sher said. “They were very proud of the show and many people there, most of whom are no longer there, contributed greatly to the show.”

10. Even if Sweet/Vicious doesn’t continue, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson will never stop telling these important stories

The show’s creator addressed her closing remarks to the show’s fanbase, and in particular any assault survivors who were feeling disheartened by the show’s early cancellation. She also promised to continue fighting to make sure these stories are heard.

“You are valid and you are heard. And your stories matter so much,” Robinson said. “Sweet/Vicious or not, I’m not going to stop telling those stories, and neither is any woman on this stage.”

Be sure to check out all of our coverage of the ATX Television Festival right here (there is still more to come).

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