The supernatural TV series “The Secret Circle” debuted on The CW in 2011, falling squarely into the network’s penchant for teen dramas and YA-inflected soaps. Sadly, it only lasted for one 22-episode season, ending its run in 2012. And like other TV shows that possess as much lore, backstory, and interpersonal relationships as this one, “The Secret Circle” needed to live a lot longer to fulfill its potential.

Based on the series of novels created by L.J. Smith (best known for writing “The Vampire Diaries”), “The Secret Circle” stars Britt Robertson (who also fronted the guilty pleasure that is Netflix’s “Girlboss”) as Cassie, a teenager who recently lost her mother in a fire and has since moved to Chance Harbor, Washington, to live with her grandmother, Jane (Ashley Crow). Cassie doesn’t initially know this, but she’s secretly a witch and has eerie magical powers. However, it doesn’t take long for the other teen witches at her new high school to recognize that Cassie is a witch and invite her to be part of their Secret Circle.

Cassie isn’t just a witch, she learns, her matronly lineage goes all the way back to the beginning of witchcraft. Cassie’s father, it’s revealed, is John Blackwell (Joe Lando), a mysterious dark warlock who lurks in the show’s margins. Other members of the Secret Circle include Adam (Thomas Dekker), Faye (Phoebe Tonkin), Diana (Shelley Hennig), Melissa (Jessica Parker Kennedy), and Nick (Louis Hunter).

True to the soap opera spirit of The CW, there are romantic dealings between the Circle’s members. For example, Nick and Melissa are dating, and Nick eventually has to learn to respect Melissa more. That is, in addition to being killed and resurrected (!). Cassie, meanwhile, instantly falls for Adam, which upsets Diana, who has always had a thing for Adam.



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