Blood Saints season 1

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Blood Saints
Season 1
Promotional poster
ShowrunnerMarcus Vale
Starring
No. of episodes8
Release
Original networkVesper+
Original releaseOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Season chronology
Next →
Season 2

The first season of the American adult superhero television series Blood Saints was created by Marcus Vale for the streaming service Vesper+. Produced by Black Halo Television, 87North Productions, Color Force, and Vesper Studios, the season consists of eight episodes and stars Jon Bernthal, Jodie Comer, Lakeith Stanfield, Adria Arjona, Boyd Holbrook, Jessica Henwick, Wagner Moura, Betty Gilpin, and Michael Shannon.

Set in a near-future society where superpowered individuals are controlled by corporate governments and private military organizations, the season follows former superhero Cain Maddox, also known as Saint Zero, who resurfaces after years in hiding following the massacre known as the Black Eden Incident. Hunted by Dominion Global and blamed for the deaths of hundreds, Cain forms an alliance with a group of unstable vigilantes and rogue enhanced individuals to expose the corruption behind the world's superhero system.

The season premiered on Vesper+ on October 30, 2026, with all eight episodes released simultaneously. It received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, action sequences, social commentary, and visual presentation, though its graphic violence and bleak tone polarized some critics. The series was renewed for a second season in November 2026.

Episodes[edit | edit source]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"False Gods"Marcus ValeMarcus ValeOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Years after the catastrophic Black Eden Incident destroyed an entire city district and turned him into the world's most wanted superhuman, former hero Cain Maddox lives hidden inside the industrial ruins outside Chicago. Dominion Global continues to publicly portray Cain as a mass murderer while secretly hunting him for classified data stolen during the disaster. Investigative journalist Mara Vale uncovers leaked surveillance footage suggesting Dominion manipulated evidence surrounding Black Eden and begins tracing connections to illegal enhancement programs. Meanwhile, Dominion's most dangerous operative, Iris Kane, massacres a strike team sent to terminate her after suffering severe psychological instability caused by years of experimentation. Dominion executive Adrian Veidt authorizes a nationwide emergency response after learning Cain may still possess evidence capable of collapsing the company. Former corporate icon Gabriel Rex publicly vows to hunt Cain down, while privately struggling with violent blackouts and deteriorating mental conditioning. After Dominion agents locate Cain's hideout, he is forced back into action during a brutal firefight that leaves dozens dead and exposes his survival to the world.
22"Burn the Halo"Timo TjahjantoElena KnoxOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Following the destruction of his hideout, Cain rescues Mara from Dominion operatives and reluctantly agrees to help expose the corporation. As anti-enhanced panic spreads across the country, Dominion uses manipulated media coverage to justify expanded military authority within major cities. Iris Kane, now actively hunted by her former handlers, tracks down Cain after discovering he survived Black Eden. Flashbacks reveal the early years of the Blood Saints program, where children with genetic abnormalities were subjected to brutal enhancement procedures inside Dominion laboratories. Gabriel Rex begins experiencing violent memory fractures suggesting portions of his past were artificially altered. Mara uncovers evidence connecting Dominion to the disappearance of hundreds of enhanced children over the last decade, while Veidt secretly prepares a classified contingency program designed to eliminate all unstable supers. Cain and Iris infiltrate a Dominion convoy transporting enhanced prisoners, resulting in a large-scale highway massacre that is later blamed on anti-government terrorists. By the episode's conclusion, Cain publicly reveals himself for the first time in years during a live Dominion broadcast.
33"Meat and Metal"Gareth EvansMarcus Vale & Elena KnoxOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Cain, Iris, and Mara travel into the underground districts beneath New Chicago after receiving information about a Dominion-operated trafficking facility. There, enhanced children are sold to private military contractors and foreign governments for experimentation. The group discovers cybernetically modified soldiers created from failed Blood Saints subjects, many of whom have been surgically altered beyond recognition. Gabriel Rex investigates Dominion independently after witnessing executives cover up civilian casualties caused during one of his public missions. Veidt authorizes the deployment of Titan Unit soldiers to eliminate everyone connected to the trafficking operation before information can leak publicly. The infiltration rapidly escalates into a violent siege as Cain and Iris battle Dominion forces throughout the collapsing facility. Mara manages to recover classified files proving Dominion intentionally destabilized enhanced subjects to justify stricter government control. Gabriel arrives too late to stop the massacre and witnesses children being executed by Dominion cleanup teams, further deepening his distrust toward the corporation. The episode ends with Cain releasing survivors into the city while Dominion declares martial law across several sectors.
44"Saints Don't Pray"Lexi AlexanderJavier CortezOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Hiding inside an abandoned superhuman containment district beneath Chicago, Cain reunites with Naomi Cross, a former Blood Saints operative suffering from severe addiction to enhancement stabilizers. Naomi reveals that Dominion has spent years erasing unstable supers through covert executions disguised as accidents or terrorist attacks. Mara begins compiling evidence to expose Dominion globally while Iris investigates classified files connected to the deaths of her family during early enhancement testing. Gabriel Rex confronts Elias Voss regarding missing operational records from Black Eden but is warned to stop investigating. Flashbacks explore Cain and Gabriel's early friendship during Dominion training, revealing the corporation intentionally manipulated the two into becoming opposing public symbols. As riots erupt across multiple cities, Dominion deploys armed response units against civilians protesting enhancement laws. Cain and Iris attempt to rescue imprisoned enhanced civilians scheduled for termination, triggering a brutal prison uprising that spreads throughout the containment district. The episode concludes with Gabriel witnessing Dominion soldiers murder surrendering civilians during a cleanup operation, leaving him visibly shaken and questioning his loyalty for the first time.
55"Red Mercy"Chad StahelskiMarcus ValeOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Dominion orchestrates a large-scale terrorist attack in downtown Los Angeles using chemically altered enhanced prisoners to justify emergency federal legislation. Cain intervenes publicly to stop the massacre after witnessing civilians being deliberately trapped inside collapsing buildings by Dominion response teams. Media coverage of the battle fractures public opinion as leaked footage contradicts Dominion's official narrative surrounding Cain. Mara releases documents proving Dominion supplied enhancement drugs to extremist groups overseas while secretly funding anti-enhanced political campaigns domestically. Gabriel Rex is ordered to assassinate Cain during the chaos but hesitates after seeing Dominion soldiers execute civilians to maintain control of the situation. Iris infiltrates a Dominion research facility and discovers Project Heavenfall, a classified program involving genetically engineered children designed to replace unstable supers entirely. Veidt manipulates world leaders into authorizing expanded military powers while privately preparing evacuation plans for senior Dominion executives. By the episode's conclusion, Gabriel openly defies Dominion during a live broadcast, publicly refusing orders to execute Cain and triggering a violent confrontation between corporate loyalists within the company.
66"Kingdom of Ash"Sam HargraveElena KnoxOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Gabriel tracks Cain to an abandoned industrial district outside Detroit in an attempt to force answers regarding Black Eden and Dominion's lies. Their confrontation escalates into a devastating battle across the collapsing city ruins, leaving hundreds dead and exposing Dominion's inability to control its own supers. During the fight, Cain reveals evidence showing Dominion altered Gabriel's memories after Black Eden to transform him into a loyal public weapon. Meanwhile, Mara successfully broadcasts classified Dominion archives across global networks, exposing decades of illegal experimentation, political assassinations, and corporate manipulation. Worldwide unrest erupts almost immediately as protests descend into violent anti-government riots. Veidt responds by activating emergency wartime protocols granting Dominion direct military authority across multiple territories. Iris leads an assault against a Dominion black-site prison holding enhanced civilians marked for execution, resulting in a brutal hallway massacre that becomes widely circulated online. As governments begin collapsing under public pressure, Elias Voss privately warns Veidt that Dominion is losing control faster than expected. The episode ends with Gabriel abandoning Dominion headquarters after violently attacking several corporate officials.
77"Black Eden"Marcus ValeMarcus Vale & Javier CortezOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
Through extended flashbacks, the true events surrounding the Black Eden Incident are finally revealed. Years earlier, Dominion secretly constructed a reactor beneath a densely populated district to mass-produce enhancement compounds using unstable experimental energy sources. When the reactor began collapsing, Cain attempted to evacuate civilians after learning Veidt intended to deliberately trigger the disaster to justify expanded anti-enhanced legislation. Gabriel, still loyal to Dominion at the time, unknowingly assisted containment teams sent to eliminate witnesses. Following the explosion, Dominion manipulated surveillance footage and fabricated evidence framing Cain for the catastrophe while erasing all records implicating the corporation. In the present, Gabriel fully turns against Dominion after witnessing the complete footage recovered by Mara. Cain, Iris, Gabriel, and surviving rogue supers prepare an assault on Dominion Tower while global governments begin severing ties with the corporation. Veidt initiates the Seraph Protocol, activating dozens of unstable enhanced operatives hidden across major cities. The episode concludes with Dominion Tower entering military lockdown as riots and mass violence spread internationally.
88"Blood Saints"Gareth EvansMarcus ValeOctober 30, 2026 (2026-10-30)
As society collapses into chaos following the exposure of Dominion's crimes, Cain, Iris, Gabriel, Mara, and several surviving rogue supers launch a final assault on Dominion Tower. Veidt activates the Seraph Protocol fully, unleashing chemically unstable enhanced soldiers throughout the city in an attempt to maintain control through mass violence and fear. Gabriel sacrifices himself to disable Dominion's defense systems after confronting Elias Voss inside the tower's central command center. Iris battles Veidt inside the reactor core beneath the tower, ultimately killing him during a brutal fight that destabilizes the entire structure. Mara successfully broadcasts Dominion's classified archives worldwide, exposing the corporation's full history of experimentation, assassinations, trafficking, and engineered wars. As military forces abandon the city and civilians flee the destruction, Cain remains behind to prevent the reactor from triggering another Black Eden-level catastrophe. Dominion Tower collapses following a massive explosion, though Cain's body is never recovered. In a post-credits scene, surviving Dominion scientists relocate to an undisclosed facility and begin work on a new classified initiative known as Heavenfall.

Cast and characters[edit | edit source]

Main[edit | edit source]

Recurring[edit | edit source]

  • Toby Wallace as Eli Mercer
  • Sofia Boutella as Nyx
  • Jeffrey Wright as Senator Graves
  • Jacob Elordi as Ashen
  • Dafne Keen as Lyra
  • Daniel Kaluuya as Solomon Creed
  • Carrie Coon as Dr. Helena Voss
  • Scott Adkins as Titan
  • Mackenyu as Ren Takeda
  • Walton Goggins as Malcolm Reed

Production[edit | edit source]

Development[edit | edit source]

On January 12, 2025, streaming service Vesper+ announced that an original adult-oriented superhero television series titled Blood Saints was in active development from writer, producer, and director Marcus Vale.[1] The project was described by executives as a grounded and politically charged deconstruction of modern superhero media, celebrity branding, militarized law enforcement, and corporate influence over public institutions.[2]

Marcus Vale was attached as creator, showrunner, executive producer, and primary writer, with Black Halo Television producing alongside 87North Productions, Color Force, and Vesper Studios.[3] Vale stated that the series was conceived following what he described as “superhero oversaturation” throughout the film and television industry, believing the genre had become “too sanitized, too commercial, and too afraid of consequences.”[4]

In July 2025, Vesper+ officially greenlit the series with an eight-episode first season order.[5] David Leitch and Kelly McCormick joined the project as executive producers through 87North Productions and oversaw the season's stunt coordination and action design.[6] During production, Vale stated that the series was intentionally developed without restrictions regarding violence, language, nudity, or political subject matter, describing the project as “the closest thing possible to a criminal-war thriller disguised as a superhero series.”[7]

Several industry publications compared the series' early premise and tone to works such as Watchmen, RoboCop, The Boys, and Children of Men, though Vale rejected direct comparisons, stating that Blood Saints was “less interested in satire and more interested in institutional collapse.”[8]

Writing[edit | edit source]

The season's writing was heavily inspired by political thrillers, cyberpunk fiction, military dramas, and revisionist superhero comics.[9] Vale stated that the writers intentionally approached superheroes as “products manufactured by corporations rather than symbols of hope,” believing the genre had become disconnected from real-world institutional power structures.[10]

The season explored themes including state violence, surveillance capitalism, militarized policing, trauma exploitation, media manipulation, radicalization, celebrity branding, and political propaganda.[11] Vale described the world of the series as “a society where corporations have replaced morality with marketability,” with superheroes functioning as state-sponsored entertainment products and military assets simultaneously.[12]

The writers intentionally avoided traditional superhero storytelling conventions by emphasizing civilian casualties, psychological instability, addiction, moral ambiguity, and the long-term consequences of violence.[13] Several episodes were structured more closely to political conspiracy thrillers and war dramas than conventional comic-book adaptations, particularly the seventh episode, "Black Eden", which extensively explored corporate cover-ups and engineered national crises.[14]

Vale also stated that the writers intentionally limited comedic material throughout the season to maintain a sense of realism and emotional exhaustion within the narrative.[15]

Casting[edit | edit source]

In September 2025, Jon Bernthal was cast in the lead role as Cain Maddox / Saint Zero.[16] Marcus Vale stated that Bernthal was selected due to his ability to portray “barely controlled rage mixed with emotional exhaustion,” adding that the character required an actor capable of appearing “physically dangerous and emotionally destroyed at the same time.”[17]

Later that month, Jodie Comer, Lakeith Stanfield, and Adria Arjona joined the cast as investigative journalist Mara Vale, corporate superhero Gabriel Rex, and rogue assassin Iris Kane respectively.[18] Vale later described Gabriel Rex as “the embodiment of corporate hero worship collapsing in real time.”[19]

Boyd Holbrook and Michael Shannon were cast in October 2025 as Dominion executive Adrian Veidt and military commander Elias Voss, the season's primary antagonists.[20] Shannon described the series as “far more cynical and politically vicious” than traditional superhero television.[21]

Filming[edit | edit source]

Principal photography for the first season began in February 2026 in Toronto, Ontario.[22] Additional filming later took place in Chicago and Prague, with several urban environments digitally modified to create the fictional megacities featured throughout the series.[23]

Large portions of the season were filmed using practical environments, large-scale stunt choreography, prosthetic gore effects, squib work, and practical destruction sequences rather than digital doubles or extensive green-screen stages.[24] Gareth Evans, Chad Stahelski, and Sam Hargrave directed several major action sequences throughout the season, contributing to the series' emphasis on grounded and physically brutal combat.[25]

Several action sequences required extended filming schedules due to their scale and complexity, including the seventh episode's Black Eden flashback sequence and the season finale's Dominion Tower assault.[26] The finale reportedly involved over 600 visual effects shots and extensive practical pyrotechnics.[27]

Music[edit | edit source]

The season's score was composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.[28] According to Reznor, the score was designed to reflect “a world collapsing psychologically and politically at the same time.”[29]

The soundtrack blended industrial music, distorted electronic textures, orchestral horror elements, heavy percussion, and ambient synth compositions to reinforce the season's violent tone and themes of institutional decay.[30] Reznor stated that the score intentionally avoided traditional heroic motifs, instead focusing on “mechanical dread, emotional exhaustion, and urban paranoia.”[31]

A soundtrack album containing selections from the season's original score was released digitally through Null Signal Records on November 6, 2026.[32]

Release[edit | edit source]

The first season of Blood Saints premiered on Vesper+ on October 30, 2026. All eight episodes were released simultaneously.

Reception[edit | edit source]

Critical response[edit | edit source]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 92% based on 118 reviews, with an average rating of 8.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads: “Brutal, politically charged, and visually relentless, Blood Saints delivers one of television's most uncompromising superhero stories.”

On Metacritic, the season received a weighted average score of 81 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.

Critics praised the performances of Jon Bernthal and Adria Arjona, the action choreography, practical effects, and worldbuilding. The series was also noted for its bleak social commentary and refusal to romanticize superhero violence. However, some reviewers criticized the season's extreme gore, nihilistic tone, and graphic content.

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Year Award Category Result
2027 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Stunt Coordination Nominated
2027 Critics' Choice Super Awards Best Superhero Series Won
2027 Saturn Awards Best Streaming Action Thriller Series Won
2027 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Television Series Drama (Jon Bernthal) Nominated

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Anderson, James (January 12, 2025). "Vesper+ Developing Hyperviolent Superhero Drama 'Blood Saints'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (January 13, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Aims to Reinvent the Superhero Genre for Streaming Television". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  3. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 14, 2025). "87North Boards Adult Superhero Series 'Blood Saints'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  4. ↑ Romano, Nick (February 2, 2025). "Marcus Vale Wants 'Blood Saints' to Be 'Ugly, Violent, and Human'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  5. ↑ Petski, Denise (July 18, 2025). "Vesper+ Orders 'Blood Saints' to Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ Taylor, Drew (July 20, 2025). "David Leitch Producing Violent Superhero Series 'Blood Saints'". TheWrap. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  7. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 8, 2025). "Marcus Vale Talks Extreme Violence and Political Themes in 'Blood Saints'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  8. ↑ Radish, Christina (September 4, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Creator Says Series Is About 'Power Rotting From the Inside'". Collider. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ Yeoman, Kevin (October 5, 2025). "Marcus Vale Discusses the Influences Behind 'Blood Saints'". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  10. ↑ Miller, Liz Shannon (October 8, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Wants to Tear Apart Superhero Mythology". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  11. ↑ Bentley, Rick (October 12, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Tackles Corporate Power Through Superhero Violence". USA Today. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  12. ↑ Romano, Nick (October 20, 2025). "Inside the Bleak Worldbuilding of 'Blood Saints'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  13. ↑ Navarro, Meagan (November 1, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Rejects Traditional Superhero Fantasy". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  14. ↑ Fienberg, Daniel (November 2, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Episode 7 Changes the Entire Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  15. ↑ Lussier, Germain (October 30, 2025). "'Blood Saints' Is One of the Bleakest Superhero Shows Ever Made". Gizmodo. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  16. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 3, 2025). "Jon Bernthal to Star in Vesper+ Superhero Drama 'Blood Saints'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  17. ↑ Edwards, Chris (September 8, 2025). "Marcus Vale Explains Why Jon Bernthal Was Cast in 'Blood Saints'". Digital Spy. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  18. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 18, 2025). "Jodie Comer, Lakeith Stanfield Join 'Blood Saints'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  19. ↑ Romano, Nick (November 5, 2025). "Lakeith Stanfield's Gabriel Rex Is the Heart of 'Blood Saints'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  20. ↑ Petski, Denise (October 2, 2025). "Boyd Holbrook and Michael Shannon Join 'Blood Saints'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  21. ↑ White, Peter (October 10, 2025). "Michael Shannon Calls 'Blood Saints' 'Completely Unhinged'". Variety. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  22. ↑ Watson, Fay (February 22, 2026). "'Blood Saints' Begins Filming in Toronto". GamesRadar+. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  23. ↑ Moon, Ra (March 15, 2026). "Where Was 'Blood Saints' Filmed?". Atlas of Wonders. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  24. ↑ Taylor, Drew (November 4, 2026). "'Blood Saints' Relied Heavily on Practical Effects". TheWrap. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  25. ↑ Navarro, Meagan (November 8, 2026). "Inside the Brutal Action Design of 'Blood Saints'". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  26. ↑ Frei, Vincent (December 2, 2026). "The Visual Effects and Stunt Work of 'Blood Saints'". The Art of VFX. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  27. ↑ Leane, Rob (December 10, 2026). "How 'Blood Saints' Filmed Its Explosive Finale". Den of Geek. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ Burlingame, Jon (September 30, 2026). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to Score 'Blood Saints'". Variety. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  29. ↑ Grein, Paul (November 12, 2026). "Trent Reznor Discusses the Aggressive Sound of 'Blood Saints'". Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  30. ↑ Goldowitz, Paul (November 20, 2026). "Inside the Music of 'Blood Saints'". Pop Disciple. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  31. ↑ Hannett, Michelle (November 25, 2026). "Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor Break Down the 'Blood Saints' Score". We Are Movie Geeks. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  32. ↑ Mancuso, Vinnie (November 6, 2026). "'Blood Saints' Soundtrack Released Digitally". Collider. Retrieved May 14, 2026.

External links[edit | edit source]

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