So, let’s be real. If you were watching The CW back in 2012, you probably remember the absolute whirlwind of hype surrounding the reboot of a cult classic. I’m talking about Beauty & the Beast, the show that took a 1980s procedural and turned it into a gritty, sci-fi romantic drama.
At the center of it all was Kristin Kreuk.
Fresh off her decade-long run as Lana Lang on Smallville, she stepped into the shoes of Catherine Chandler. But this wasn't the "damsel in distress" version. She was a tough-as-nails NYPD detective. Honestly, it was a huge pivot for her. You’ve probably seen the headlines about how "polarizing" the show was for critics, but for the fans? The "Beasties," as they called themselves? It was everything.
The Chemistry That Saved a Series
The premise sounds kinda wild when you say it out loud: a detective finds out the "beast" who saved her life years ago is actually a doctor-turned-super-soldier named Vincent Keller, played by Jay Ryan. Critics at The San Francisco Chronicle and The Los Angeles Times weren't exactly kind. They called it "badly written" and "wretchedly acted."
Ouch.
But here’s the thing—the critics missed the boat on the chemistry. Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan had this raw, magnetic pull that basically carried the show for four seasons. It wasn't just about the "procedural of the week." It was about a deep, messy, and sometimes toxic-but-loyal love.
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The fans noticed.
While the ratings were never massive (starting at around 2.78 million and dipping significantly by the end), the fanbase was—for lack of a better word—rabid. In a good way! They were so dedicated that they practically willed the show to stay on the air. Beauty & the Beast ended up winning the People’s Choice Award for Favorite New TV Drama in 2013, and Kristin herself snagged Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress multiple times. That doesn’t happen by accident.
Kristin Kreuk as Catherine: Not Your Average Beauty
Catherine Chandler was a departure from Lana Lang. Kreuk has spoken in interviews about how much she appreciated the "action-oriented" nature of Cat. She wasn't just standing there waiting for Clark Kent—or Vincent Keller—to save her. She was a martial arts-trained cop (Kreuk actually has a purple belt in Shotokan karate in real life) who was investigating her mother’s murder and uncovering a massive government conspiracy called Muirfield.
The show felt different because it was darker. It was NYC. It was post-9/11 vibes.
It was also a bit of a chaotic production behind the scenes. Showrunners changed. The tone shifted from "creepy mystery" in Season 1 to a more "intimate romance" in Season 2. Kreuk eventually stepped up as a producer too. You can tell she really cared about the character's evolution from a traumatized teenager to a woman who owned her power.
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Why the "Beasties" Still Care in 2026
It’s been a decade since the series wrapped in 2016, but if you look at Reddit or fan forums today, the love hasn’t faded. Why?
Basically, the show tapped into that specific "us against the world" trope that people crave. Vincent wasn't a traditional monster; he was a victim of military experimentation. Catherine wasn't just a beauty; she was a survivor. They were both broken in ways that made sense to each other.
Also, let's acknowledge the elephant in the room: the "Beast" makeup.
Compared to the 80s version where Ron Perlman looked like a literal lion-man, Jay Ryan’s beast was more... "Hulk-lite." He had a scar and some intense contact lenses. Some people hated that. They wanted more monster. But for the core audience, it worked because it focused on the humanity inside rather than the prosthetics on the outside.
What Kristin Kreuk Did Next
Since the show ended, Kreuk hasn’t slowed down. She moved back to Canada and starred in (and executive produced) the legal drama Burden of Truth. More recently, she’s been in Reacher on Prime Video and the series Murder in a Small Town.
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She’s also been open about the challenges of being a young woman in the industry during those Smallville and Beauty & the Beast years. She’s mentioned in interviews that some sets didn't always feel safe or respectful. That makes her transition into producing even more significant. She’s taking control of the narrative.
What You Should Do If You're Just Discovering the Show
If you’ve never seen Beauty & the Beast, or if you only know Kristin Kreuk from her Superman days, here is how to actually enjoy the show today:
- Watch for the Chemistry: Don't get too hung up on the procedural "case of the week" in the first few episodes. The heart of the show is the relationship between Cat and Vincent.
- Appreciate the Stunts: Kristin does a lot of her own movement work. Given her background in gymnastics and karate, her fight scenes are actually quite technically sound compared to other CW shows of that era.
- Skip the "Critically Acclaimed" Filter: This isn't Succession. It’s a gothic romance disguised as a cop show. Lean into the melodrama.
- Check Out the Fan Communities: The "Beasties" are still active on social media. If you want to dive deep into the mythology of Muirfield or the specific details of the super-soldier serum, they have all the answers.
The show might not have been a critical darling, but it proved that a dedicated fanbase and a lead actress with genuine screen presence can turn a "middling" reboot into a cult legend.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to revisit the world of Catherine and Vincent, the entire series is often available for streaming on platforms like CW Seed or for purchase on Amazon. Alternatively, if you're looking for Kristin Kreuk's more mature work, check out the first season of Burden of Truth to see her evolution from detective to high-stakes lawyer.