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Sep 15, 2011 CW By Lily Moayeri

Why are all vampires, werewolves, witches, and warlocks so good looking? The CW’s The Secret Circle, the latest in paranormal shows, does its part to keep the fantasy of aesthetically appealing supernatural genetics alive. Referring to a culti-ish sextet of teenagers who discover they are witches (and warlocks), The Secret Circle is set in a small town in Washington State—the default location for many a dark creature. A West Coast interpretation of The Vampire Diaries, the secret six have inherited their powers of witchcraft, as well as their destinies, from their families. Led by Life Unexpected‘s Britt Robertson as Cassie—who is far too luminous and cotton candy-looking to make a believable witch; her fellow spellcasters are equally as attractive with impeccable style. There is the requisite sexual tension, which in Cassie’s case is with every member of the cast; the struggle for and abuse of power; and such a proliferation of secrets that the secret of the show’s title falls to the wayside, especially since the only people who think their circle is secret are the ones in it.

Cassie, Adam (Thomas Dekker), Diana (Shelley Hennig), Faye (played by an aging Phoebe Tonkin), Melissa (Jessica Parker Kennedy), and shirtless Nick (Louis Hunter) make witchcraft seem so easy with their mantra-like chants of whatever magic they want to make happen, e.g., “a drop of water light as air” makes a water droplet float in the air. Very impressive, at least the Harry Potter spells had some nifty Latin sounds to them. The Secret Circle doesn’t have the smoldering sexuality of The Vampire Diaries, but give it a few episodes and it will inevitably get there. Witches are the new vampires, our latest guilty pleasure. (www.cwtv.com/the-secret-circle)

Author rating: 4/10