SCENE STEALER: Dominique Provost-Chalkley [Wynonna Earp S1]

In a diversely talented cast, Dominique Provost-Chalkley shone as the impeccable Waverly who hid a world of flaws and insecurities behind her charming persona.

When your cast boasts such talent, it’s hard to pick out a shining star. Ultimately, this is the case on ‘Wynonna Earp‘. Firstly, Melanie Scrofano triumphs with her vulnerability hidden in Fort Knox. Shamier Anderson’s Dolls and Tim Rozon’s Doc are so good you would happily watch Dolls explain the concept of a hamburger to Doc. Lastly, the magnetic Katherine Barrell effortlessly lures us into sudden loves for Stetsons and belt buckles.

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But Dominique Provost-Chalkley harboured something insatiably compelling since day one (hence the hasty write-up before). The points of our old article still stand, though. Notably, Provost-Chalkley’s charm contrasted perfectly with Scrofano’s Wynonna. The Wynonna/Waverly relationship is by miles the best on the show. We all want an elder sister like Wynonna. Yet simultaneously, we all want a younger sister like Waverly.

In season one, Provost-Chalkley unwrapped her gift of a character. Waverly was the brains of the operation. A book-smart and adorkable charmer. Perhaps one of our favourite lines of Waverly’s was this:

How can someone so pretty be so smart? – Champ

Ugh, because the two aren’t mutually exclusive! – Waverly

Provost-Chalkey has chemistry…with everyone.

Notably, her sisterly bond with Scrofano’s Wynonna has been the beacon of light for season one. It’s complex, layered, honest—and never devoid of complete love and devotion. To see such a delightful sibling bond that doesn’t just consist of bickering over The Handsome Boy was refreshing. And its depth took us completely by surprise. Waverly’s talk over a brew with Dolls was a charming standout, and so was her electrifying chemistry with Tim Rozon’s Doc. Something paternalistic spawned within Doc upon meeting Waverly, and to watch Provost-Chalkley match Rozon toe-to-toe in their scenes was an honour.

Provost-Chalkley and Barrell’s sizzling portrayal of ‘WayHaught’ cannot be ignored. Social media would burn us at the stake! From the moment Nicole self-assuredly swept into Shorty’s to the gentility of their relationship as it unravelled, Provost-Chalkley and Barrell have been consistently excellent. There’s a sweet, pure believability to ‘WayHaught’. They’re in demon-town. And yet amidst literal hell, Provost-Chalkley and Barrell chastely crafted something quite angelic.

We must return to Waverly and Wynonna. Wherever season two takes us, we’re scared and excited to find out. Their relationship has been so intricately done that we’re afraid it will crumble. Will we have to watch them pick up the pieces upon finding out Waverly’s not an Earp? Or will Wynonna care? Is blood actually thicker than water? Whatever the consequences, we’ll be sure to prepare the tissues.

The range of emotions Provost-Chalkley masters so easily—comedy, tragedy, awkwardness, sincerity—is a joy to watch.

Comically, the most memorable scene by far was the atrocious miscommunication between Nicole and Waverly in episode nine. If you did not watch with only one eye open you we envy your strength. It spawned this line:

You’re a lesbian, not a unicorn, right? – Waverly [smiling broadly]

No matter how many times you watch that scene, you’ll cringe, snort and face-palm at their utter haplessness. It’s so ridiculous. But with Nicole’s exponentially baffled face and Waverly’s bouncy chirpiness, it was hilarious.

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It’s not just comedy Provost-Chalkley conquers. Granted, she’s given a lot of lighter scenes in contrast to Wynonna’s darker ones, but in ‘Walking After Midnight’, Provost-Chalkley was the clear MVP of the episode as Waverly bravely faced Constance Clootie (Rayisa Kondracki). Animosity came with Willa (Natalie Krill) and sincere respect came with Doc. Oh, and rifle-toting moments accompanied by a cutely fierce “eat shit, shit-eaters!”

With Scrofano, the duo elevate each other every time they’re on-screen together. It’s magic. There are so many layers to this beloved sibling relationship that we have yet to explore. But if there’s one question you can ask Earpers, it’s ‘do you enjoy Wynonna and Waverly’s relationship?’—because the answer will be an unequivocal ‘yes’.

How to be an actor: a guide into fooling an English reviewer with your American accent.

It was rather late we realised Ms. Provost-Chalkley was English—and even later we realised she was also West End trained. That explained a lot. The first time we heard Waverly sing, we felt as if we’d just been hugged by a giant panda. It was casual, and it was pleasant. Soothing. The next time was her irresistibly fun montage as she decorated the house, dancing around and singing. Provost-Chalkley proved yet again she could hit those notes without batting an eyelid. Furthermore, she proved she could work those hips in that dress!

Her accent is great, too. If anything, we’d have expected the ‘generic American accent’ but Provost-Chalkley adds in that little Western twang we immediately associate with Purgatory. It’s a minute detail that makes all the difference. Provost-Chalkley is a multi-faceted star, and one heck of a chameleon.

Simply put, there is no other Waverly Earp than Dominique Provost-Chalkley, and I think every single #Earper would agree with us on that. (Waverly for President!)

There truly isn’t.

We have no idea how the very English Provost-Chalkley can spew Waverly’s dialogue with such rapidity, but it’s mind-blowing. Only Provost-Chalkley can mould such an independent, strong character into someone so simultaneously endearing that we would potentially give a limb for her. We’ve never seen a character so widely adored by the entire fanbase, and that’s truly saying something.

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Waverly isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes her so lovable. Aren’t we all imperfect marks on this world anyway? Particularly embraced by the ‘Wynonna Earp’ fandom is ‘WayHaught’, and rightly so. Barrell and Provost-Chalkley are pieces of a comely jigsaw. Therefore, in the grave existence of television minorities, ‘WayHaught’ is a shiny unicorn galloping through. They’re honest, pure and sweet. And just like Waverly, Provost-Chalkley (and vocally, Barrell) has been fearless in tackling her character’s transition. She’s been steadily supportive of their LGBT fanbase, And isn’t it just nice to see two kindred spirits finally join? To see a same-sex couple…happy?

There’s one thing we can say for sure: Provost-Chalkley entranced us from the start with her “smile and wave“!

Catch Dominique on WYNONNA EARP Season Two, 2017 on SyFy and now in the UK on SPIKE!