Pop-Culturalist.com

Melanie Scrofano and Tim Rozon have captivated audiences with their unforgettable portrayals of Wynonna Earp and Doc Holliday in the hit series Wynonna Earp. Their dynamic chemistry and nuanced performances have breathed life into these iconic characters, creating a lasting impact on both the show and its passionate fanbase. Scrofano’s fierce yet vulnerable take on Wynonna, paired with Rozon’s complex and charismatic Doc, has made their characters central to the heart of the series. Together, they’ve helped build a world that resonates with themes of family, redemption, and love, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and pop culture.

When we last saw this beloved duo, Wynonna and Doc were riding off into the sunset in the emotional conclusion of Wynonna Earp Season 4. Their journey had been filled with trials, heartache, and triumphs, but the finale gave fans a bittersweet yet fitting closure as the two characters finally found peace together.

But what happens after happily ever after? Well, that’s exactly what Melanie Scrofano and Tim Rozon are exploring in their return to Wynonna Earp with the special Vengeance. Picking up where their characters’ story left off, the duo dives back into the complexities of Wynonna and Doc’s relationship, showing that love doesn’t always make life easier. With new challenges and adventures ahead, they’re continuing to evolve these beloved characters, giving fans a deeper look at what comes next after the ride into the sunset.

PC: Tim, Emily [Andras] mentioned that you were influential in getting Vengeance off the ground, and you actually pitched the idea to the president at Tubi. How did you capture the magic of Wynonna Earp and its fandom during those initial conversations?
Tim: [laughs] It was pretty easy. I love the show, so talking about it was a breeze. And talking about the Earpers was even easier because this fandom is incredible. I just described what this fandom is about, the influence it’s had on my life, and some of the experiences I’ve had over the years. This show is really special, and it was easy to convey that I was being genuine. A lot of people aren’t used to hearing that. [laughs] I’m never intentionally pitching anything, even when I’m fighting for something, and I think that came across too. But this is an incredible show. I might have even said that this is Tubi’s chance to be the Wynonna—they can be the hero.

PC: Melanie, you also have a longstanding relationship with Tubi through Clickbait: Unfollowed on the platform, which is brilliant, by the way. It seems like streaming platforms offer more creative freedom compared to traditional networks. How does Vengeance take advantage of that flexibility and push the boundaries of these stories and characters?
Melanie: Since Josh [Van Houdt] at Tubi has been with us from the start, he was always a fan of what we were doing. It felt more like, “We trust you, so just go do it.” Nobody was breathing down our necks. In television, you often have a lot of cooks in the kitchen. But with Tubi, there’s only one cook, and that’s us. Tubi was great about saying, “We can’t wait to see what you create.” That kind of freedom is so rare, and you can feel it in the performances, the writing, and the direction when no one is micromanaging. There’s a sense of freedom, and that’s really what Wynonna is all about—finding freedom. That’s what made it magical from the start, a group of people making the show we wanted to make.

PC: You can really feel that in the bonds you’ve all formed. Tim, I imagine there’s some pressure when reprising a role to build on the legacy and foundation you’ve created. But with the unwavering support of this fandom, you mentioned how that trust and love gave you a sense of comfort during filming. How did that support not only influence you during the filming experience but also allow you to take more risks in your performances?
Tim: It’s interesting because Melanie mentioned earlier how it’s easy to trust your instincts when it comes to these characters. That’s exactly how I feel with Doc. I’ve always felt that, but I never really thought about it until she said it out loud. I had this moment of, “That’s what it is.” It just clicked. I’ve been given this incredible, iconic character that everyone knows from history, but I never felt any pressure from Syfy, Emily, or the producers to play Doc Holliday the way people expected him to be. That was a relief. I could bring the character to life the way I envisioned him. I’ve been able to do that for years now, and it’s become more natural. I trust myself with this character and his instincts more than with any other character I’ve ever played. I just know I’m making the right choice. Maybe that comes from being in such a safe space where it’s not about never failing—it’s knowing that if you do, it’s okay.

PC: Melanie, the medium for telling this story is different. In a 90-minute special, you have a clear sense of where your character starts and potentially ends, though of course, we’re all hoping for more in the future. Were there any specific techniques you used to get back into Wynonna? How did this more contained format impact the way you approached her journey in this special?
Melanie: Wow, that’s a really good question. First off, great point. When you have ten episodes, anything can happen. You might know where you’re headed, but that can change, and suddenly you’re going in a completely different direction. You don’t really know for sure until you get to episode ten if what you thought was happening will actually happen. But with this, we knew. Maybe a couple of lines would change, but the story was what it was, and that was really nice. It simplified things—this is the beginning, middle, and end. You’re not constantly thinking, “What if she does this because later she might do that?” It’s very clear. You know where it’s going, so you can set things up with more confidence.

As for how I approached playing her, I don’t think I did anything new. I wish I had a craft-based answer, but a lot of it was just showing up and saying the lines because she’s so deeply ingrained in me. Wynonna is not a character I need to work hard to find, which may not sound as impressive as, “I really crafted her,” but it’s because Emily is such a great writer. I just said her words.

PC: It’s that connection you all have with these characters that makes the performances throughout the series so special. You’ve both hinted that Wynonna and Doc’s journey in Vengeance shows that choosing love doesn’t necessarily make things easier. Having worked together for so many years across different projects and disciplines as actor and actor, and actor and director, how has the trust between the two of you influenced where we find your characters now?
Tim: That’s interesting because Doc and Wynonna’s relationship trumps all others in a way, since they were the first.

Melanie: Yeah.

Tim: They were the first. That’s the foundation. It’s such a safe place to return to, no matter where we are or what show we’re working on. Doc and Wynonna is just Doc and Wynonna. My brain automatically goes there—it’s the magic sauce.

Melanie: I agree. I’ve said this before, but I think it’s such a gift to have known someone for so long, in so many different ways, as you said. We’ve been to cons, we’ve done different things, and it always enhances our return to Doc and Wynonna because we have so much more to bring to that relationship. You don’t get that kind of connection very often, and that’s part of the magic. It’s not something you can force. You can act like you have it, but when you have such a diverse relationship, it just builds and adds layers to the Doc and Wynonna magic.

PC: One of the great things about this special is that both new and existing fans will discover it, making it the perfect opportunity to go back and binge-watch the series. For each of you, what was the definitive episode for your respective character and why?
Tim: That’s so tricky. My answer used to be episodes 411 and 412. I thought they were such a great ending, but now, honestly, it’s the special. I can’t wait for everyone to watch it and see what they take away from it. It really is special. I used to wonder, “What does ‘special’ even mean?” but it’s so fitting for this. Right now, it’s the special because it’s the newest, but who knows—maybe the next one.

Melanie: Same. [laughs]

Tim: Honestly, I could pick a ton from Season 1. In Season 2, Mel was pregnant, so there was a lot going on. In Season 3, we lost our show, then came back. Each season is so different. There have been so many memories and moments. It’s been a huge part of our lives.

PC: One final question for both of you. Tim, you described this opportunity to play Doc again as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you each had the chance to write another chapter for a character you’ve played in the past, which one would it be and why?
Tim: It would be Instant Star and Tommy Q. It’s time for a reboot. I don’t know who wants to bring it back, but we’re ready. I want more of Alexz Johnson’s Jude. I need to hear more about her story and see where we left off. I think a lot of people would agree with me—we should’ve gotten a wedding that we didn’t get. They gave us some webisodes to make up for it, but I’d love to see where Jude Harrison is now and what she’s up to.

Melanie: I cried in RoboCop and I can’t remember why.

Tim: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You were in RoboCop?

Melanie: Yeah, for half a minute, and I cried. I’d like to revisit that and figure out why she was crying. Let’s expand on that a bit. Oh wait, it’s because I heard my husband playing guitar, and it was beautiful. I’d love to see more of what else she’s about.

Tim: How many years have I known you for?

Melanie: Nine?

Tim: Too long for you not to start every conversation with “I was in RoboCop.”

Melanie: I was there for one day, so I don’t remember. [laughs]

Make sure to follow Melanie (X/Instagram) and Tim (Instagram). Watch Wynonna Earp: Vengeance on Tubi today.

Photo Credit: Tubi