Siren on Freeform: Dark Mermaid Mythology and Environmental Drama

Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the fantasy series Siren, which completely transformed the mermaid genre by bringing a dark, mature perspective to mythological creatures and environmental themes that captivated audiences during its three-season run.

Siren is an American fantasy drama television series created by Eric Wald and Dean White. Premiering on March 29, 2018, on Freeform, the series ran for three seasons with 36 episodes total and an average runtime of 42-44 minutes per episode. The series stars Eline Powell, Alex Roe, and Fola Evans-Akingbola, and follows the battle between man and sea as mermaids come to the surface in the coastal town of Bristol Cove, Washington.

The series is set in Bristol Cove, a coastal town known for its legends of once being home to mermaids. The arrival of mysterious girl Ryn (Eline Powell) proves that all the stories are true, as she comes ashore looking for her captured sister. What makes Siren distinctive is its commitment to portraying mermaids as dangerous, intelligent predators rather than romanticized fairy tale creatures.

Siren brilliantly balances supernatural mythology with real-world environmental concerns, creating a narrative that feels both fantastical and grounded in contemporary issues. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, government conspiracy, and the complex relationship between humans and nature through the lens of mermaid folklore.

The Awakening: When Ancient Predators Return to Shore

The central storyline begins when Ryn, a mermaid, comes ashore in Bristol Cove searching for her sister Donna, who was captured by commercial fishermen. This event triggers a chain reaction that brings more mermaids to the surface, leading to a dangerous conflict between two species that have coexisted in uneasy separation for decades.

The series expertly builds its mythology around the idea that mermaids are apex predators who have been driven to the deep ocean by human activity. As environmental changes force them closer to shore, both species must confront their shared history and the possibility of coexistence. The show doesn’t shy away from depicting mermaids as genuinely dangerous creatures with their own complex society and motivations.

Ryn Fisher: A Predator Learning to Be Human

Eline Powell delivers a stunning performance as Ryn, the mermaid who becomes the bridge between two worlds. Powell’s portrayal is both terrifying and sympathetic, showing Ryn as a powerful predator who gradually develops genuine connections with humans while never losing her essential wildness.

Ryn’s evolution throughout the series is masterfully crafted, as she learns human language, customs, and emotions while struggling with her dual nature. Powell brings physicality and intensity to the role that makes Ryn feel genuinely otherworldly, yet her growing relationships with Ben and Maddie create emotional stakes that ground the supernatural elements in human drama.

Ben Pownall and Maddie Bishop: The Human Connection

Alex Roe and Fola Evans-Akingbola play Ben and Maddie, the marine biologists who become Ryn’s first human allies and eventually form an unconventional romantic triangle. Their characters represent different aspects of humanity’s relationship with nature – Ben’s family has historical connections to mermaids, while Maddie approaches them from a scientific perspective.

The development of their three-way relationship is one of the series’ most compelling aspects, as it explores how humans and mermaids might actually relate to each other on both emotional and physical levels. Both Roe and Evans-Akingbola bring depth to characters who could have been simple exposition devices, making their connections with Ryn feel genuine and complex.

Environmental Warfare: When Mythology Meets Modern Crisis

The series reaches its most powerful moments when addressing environmental destruction and its impact on both human and mermaid populations. As the show progresses, it becomes clear that climate change, pollution, and overfishing have disrupted the delicate balance that kept mermaids in the deep ocean, forcing them into conflict with surface dwellers.

The environmental themes give weight to the supernatural elements, making the mermaid invasion feel like a natural consequence of human actions rather than simple fantasy. The series effectively uses its mythology to comment on real-world issues while maintaining the entertainment value of its supernatural premise.

Supporting Characters and Government Conspiracy

The series features strong supporting performances from Ian Verdun as Sheriff Dale Bishop and Rena Owen as Helen Hawkins, a woman with mysterious connections to mermaid history. The addition of government and military elements in later seasons expands the world beyond Bristol Cove, showing how the emergence of mermaids affects national security and scientific research.

These supporting storylines help flesh out the world of Siren while maintaining focus on the central relationships. The conspiracy elements add tension and stakes to the personal drama while exploring themes about how governments might actually respond to the discovery of a new intelligent species.

Freeform’s Fantasy Success Story

Siren became one of Freeform’s most successful original series, earning a dedicated fanbase and critical praise for its mature approach to mermaid mythology. The series held a 7.0 rating on IMDb, reflecting strong audience appreciation for its unique take on fantasy television. In its third season, Siren averaged a 0.11 demo rating and 410,000 total viewers, though ratings declined over time. Unfortunately, Freeform canceled the series in August 2020 after three seasons, disappointing fans who had become invested in the complex mythology and character relationships that Siren had developed.

A Dark Fantasy That Earned Its Devoted Following

If you love fantasy series that take familiar mythology in darker, more mature directions, Siren is the perfect series to binge on Freeform and streaming platforms. It’s a rare show that respects both its supernatural elements and its environmental themes while delivering genuine character development and emotional stakes.

Tags: mermaid fantasy, environmental drama, supernatural romance, dark mythology, creature feature

Why This Aquatic Fantasy Deserves Your Deep Dive

Positive Points:

• Eline Powell’s exceptional performance brings genuine otherworldliness to the mermaid character
• Mature, sophisticated approach to mermaid mythology that avoids typical romanticization
• Strong environmental themes that give real-world weight to the supernatural premise
• Compelling three-way relationship dynamics that feel authentic and emotionally grounded
• Excellent practical effects and underwater cinematography create believable aquatic sequences

Negative Points:

• Series was canceled after three seasons, leaving some storylines and mysteries unresolved
• Later seasons introduced government conspiracy elements that sometimes felt disconnected from core story
• Declining ratings led to budget constraints that affected production quality in final season
• Some episodes struggled to balance multiple storylines and mythology building
• The show’s mature content and violence may have limited its appeal to Freeform’s target demographic

Siren proves that familiar mythological creatures can still surprise audiences when approached with creativity, maturity, and respect for both fantasy elements and real-world concerns.

Series Details

• Number of Episodes: 36 episodes (3 seasons completed)
• Platform: Freeform (available on various streaming platforms)
• Release Year: 2018-2020 (canceled)
• Current IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
• Genre: Fantasy Drama Supernatural Romance
• Production Type: Western series
• Status: Canceled in August 2020 after 3 seasons
• Main Protagonists: Ryn Fisher (Eline Powell), Ben Pownall (Alex Roe), Maddie Bishop (Fola Evans-Akingbola)
• Main Antagonists: Various mermaid factions, government agents, environmental threats