When FBI Special Agent Audrey Parker is dispatched to the small town of Haven, Maine, on a routine case, she finds herself becoming increasingly involved in the return of "The Troubles", a plague of supernatural afflictions that have occurred in the town at least twice before. With an openness to the possibility of the paranormal, she also finds a more personal link in Haven that may lead her to the mother she has never known. Over time, Parker, who eventually quits the FBI to join the Haven Police Department, begins to realize that her arrival in Haven may have been pre-arranged and that her name and even her memories may not be her own. As the series progresses, she learns more about the mysteries of both Haven and her true identity. She and her partner, police detective Nathan Wuornos, find themselves frequently facing problems caused by both the effects of the Troubles, as well as the activities of town folk who take more drastic measures against those who are Troubled.
Haven was originally developed for ABC Television in 2007 by writers Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn, with production company Piller Segan. In September 2009, E1 Entertainment announced it was working with Stephen King to develop a television series based on his novel The Colorado Kid. The entertainment company ordered the concept straight to series, with thirteen episodes planned. In November, Syfy announced it had acquired the series. Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn wrote the pilot episode. According to Ernst, the original idea had no supernatural involvement, which prompted Stephen King to ask "Where's the supernatural element"? after he read their notes. In February 2010, Emily Rose was cast in the lead role of Audrey Parker. Eric Balfour and Lucas Bryant came on board in late March. Canadian broadcaster Canwest Global Communications acquired rights to the series in March as well. In April 2010, Adam Kane signed on to direct the pilot. Production began April 20 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and surrounding areas. Filming occurred primarily in Chester, Nova Scotia and throughout the south shore of the Canadian province, including Lunenburg, Halifax, and Mahone Bay. The promo of series premiere features the song Short Change Hero by The Heavy. The series premiere, "Welcome to Haven", aired on Syfy in the U.S. on July 9, 2010, and on Showcase in Canada on July 12. The show became available to other international markets in October 2010.
Episodes
The one-hour drama premiered on July 9, 2010, on Syfy. The series was the first property to be produced for Syfy Pay channels around the globe, excluding Canada and Scandinavia. On October 12, 2011, it was renewed for a third 13-episode season, which began airing on September 21, 2012. On November 9, 2012, it was renewed for a fourth 13-episode season. On January 28, 2014, the show was renewed for a split 26-episode fifth season. The first half aired in 2014 with the second half airing in 2015.
Reception
Haven premiered to mixed to poor reviews from critics, with its first season attaining a metascore of 53 according to review aggregatorMetacritic and a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 reviews, the site's critical consensus stating: "It benefits from an intriguing setting and a strong lead in Emily Rose, but otherwise, Haven is a derivative supernatural crime procedural." The Miami Heralds Glenn Garvin found it "quite successful" as a "narrative of eccentric, slightly damaged yet ultimately warm characters", while USA Todays Robert Bianco called it a "ludicrously see-through supernatural crime drama that wastes a perfectly fine performance from Emily Rose".
In Region A, Entertainment One released the first season on Blu-ray on June 14, 2011, and the second season on September 4, 2012, and in Region B, the first season was released on September 14, 2011.
Broadcast
Haven has been sold for broadcast in several countries worldwide, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Syndication
Chiller acquired the rights to air Haven in June 2013. It first premiered on Sunday, July 14, 2013, at 8pm ET, and aired four episodes every Sunday thereafter until the series was discontinued prior to the network's closure.. Genesis International distributes the syndication version to several local markets in the US.
