First Kill

First Kill: A Supernatural Teen Romance with Bite

First Kill is a supernatural teen drama series that premiered on Netflix in June 2022. Created by Victoria Schwab, based on her short story of the same name, and produced by Emma Roberts, the show combines romance, action, and fantasy with a refreshing queer narrative at its heart. While it draws inspiration from classic vampire lore and star-crossed love stories, First Kill sets itself apart by centering a same-sex relationship and challenging traditional genre tropes.

The series revolves around Juliette Fairmont (Sarah Catherine Hook), a seemingly ordinary high school girl who belongs to a family of “Legacy” vampires—powerful immortals who don’t need to be turned. Juliette is approaching a pivotal moment in her life: it’s time for her to make her “first kill” to fully awaken her vampiric powers and take her place in the family legacy. However, she is reluctant, not because she fears the consequences, but because she’s struggling with her moral compass—and her heart.

Enter Calliope Burns (Imani Lewis), a new student at school who comes from a long line of monster hunters. Trained since childhood to eliminate supernatural threats, Calliope sees Juliette not as a crush, but as her mission. However, their first encounter doesn't end in blood—it ends in an unexpected kiss. What follows is a dangerous, passionate, and conflicted relationship between two young women caught between duty and desire, loyalty and love.

At its core, First Kill is a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, with fangs and stakes. But instead of simply rehashing familiar tropes, the series gives them a twist. The romance between Juliette and Calliope is genuine and central, treated with the same seriousness and passion often reserved for heterosexual couples in fantasy dramas. Their chemistry is palpable, and the story takes the emotional complexities of a forbidden love seriously.

The show also dives into family dynamics, prejudice, and generational expectations. Juliette’s vampire family clings tightly to tradition and legacy, while Calliope’s hunter clan is steeped in militant discipline and moral absolutes. Both girls struggle to carve out their identities within these rigid structures. Their romance becomes a rebellion—against their families, their destinies, and the world they’ve been born into.

Visually, First Kill embraces its campy, teen-drama roots. It features fast-paced action sequences, blood-soaked showdowns, and plenty of supernatural flair. While the special effects and writing received mixed reviews from critics, the show’s unapologetic embrace of queerness and its loyal fanbase helped it stand out in a crowded genre. Sarah Catherine Hook and Imani Lewis deliver engaging performances that balance vulnerability with strength, making the characters relatable and compelling.

Despite its promise and growing fan support, First Kill was canceled after one season, sparking disappointment among viewers who praised its representation and potential. Nonetheless, the series remains an important step forward in LGBTQ+ representation in fantasy media, offering young queer audiences a chance to see themselves in stories of love, power, and transformation.

First Kill may have been short-lived, but its impact—like a first love—left a lasting mark.