The Villains of Valley View, which premieres on Disney Channel June 3, prepares to redefine the meaning of family bonding. The new series follows a family of supervillains who are forced to change their identities and live in hiding after going up against the League of Villains. Between the success of Disney’s Descendants film series and the popularity of Marvel shows like Loki, it comes as no surprise villains – especially ones attempting to reform – are all the raise.
While there is a lot of focus on teenage supervillain Havoc (played by stage-trained actress Isabella Pappas) and her new friend Hartley (played by newcomer Kayden Muller-Janssen), who tries to teach her how to have a normal life, The Villains of Valley View also shines a spotlight on the parents. Lucy Davis (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and James Patrick Stuart (General Hospital) play Eva (AKA Surge) and Vic (AKA Kraniac), who have to learn to cope with a shifting dynamic in their home and in a wholly new outside world.
Screen Rant spoke to Davis and Stuart about the joys of family bonding when everyone involved is more mischievous than normal, the excitement of working with practical effects, and the favorite Disney stories of their youth.
Screen Rant: How much fun is it for you to play somewhat reformed villains?
Lucy Davis: Yeah, I love it, because I’ve never really played a bad guy before.
In fact, I just identified earlier that if you’re a superhero, you’re always rescuing people. It’s exhausting. If however, you’re a supervillain, you do whatever you want whenever you want. And you’re not exhausted at all; you look younger for longer. The end. You don’t need Botox anymore as a villain!
James, what is it like for you? And how is Kraniac adjusting to this new life?
James Patrick Stuart: First of all, I love playing a villain, and I love playing a comedic villain. I’ve done six years on General Hospital, and pretty much every man to a T over there looks at this new show and says, “This is like it was written for you.” Because I’m such a goofball, and on a soap opera you can’t always get away with that. A lot of times that stuff just happens in the back behind the camera.
But it has been so much fun with the special effects – the practical special effects, not just visual CGI. The special effects guys have pizza ovens going haywire, and we have wires all over so special effects artists can make things fly around the room. It’s a pinch-me type moment, because of the kid in me. The first time I went on a Universal Studios tour when I was a kid, I just wanted to be a part of this world, and we are now.
And Krainiac is adjusting the best he can. His children and his wife have made a quite a snafu, and he has no choice.
Speaking of the kids, the family dynamic is so much fun. Even villains love their children, or so we hope. Lucy, can you talk about bonding as a family and the tiffs that you make it through?
Lucy Davis: It’s interesting, isn’t it? Because as villains, and certainly everyone outside the family, we kind of don’t give a monkey’s, do we? Well, each to their own. But now we’re in a family; we’re all the same. Now, it’s suddenly very Lord of the Flies, isn’t it? Because who within the villains is the most villainous or has the hierarchy? I think probably Surge.
But within that, you do watch them still – whilst they all make fun of each other and throw each other under the bus – actually know they do have each other’s back. And certainly within the family with the outside world. I think that’s fair, right, James?
James Patrick Stuart: Oh, yeah. I think Lucy and I, we came to the agreement on day one that Surge or Eva was the top dog. She’s the top banana in the house, and Vic is practically one of the children.
Did each of you watch any Disney shows or films when you were in your youth? Which inspired you most?
Lucy Davis: I love the films. I love the Cinderellas, the Snow Whites – all of that. Jungle Book. I watched them over and over and over and over.
James Patrick Stuart: My father was one of the vultures in the original Jungle Book, so I was aware of the Disney world. I love The Apple Dumpling Gang; I loved Escape to Witch Mountain. I loved all of that stuff.
And I also got a chance to be a part of some Disney shows. Shake It Up, and I played Jessie’s dad on Jessie. But what I loved about this one in particular was that they’re including the parents in more of a way, rather than just leaning into them going, “Now, you kids…” We’re part of the group, and I like that a lot.
The Villains of Valley View Synopsis
When teenage supervillain Havoc stands up to the head of the League of Villains, her family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas suburb. With the help of her effervescent new neighbor Hartley, Havoc – going incognito as “Amy” – must somehow hide her superpowers and quell her villainous nature in favor of something she and the rest of her family have fought against all their lives: being normal.
Check back soon for our interview with The Villains of Valley View stars Isabella Pappas & Kayden Muller-Janssen as well.
The Villains of Valley View premieres Friday, June 3 at 8/7c on Disney Channel. Disney+ will have the first five episodes available to stream beginning June 22.
