Being Human – the vampire/werewolf/ghost flatshare drama that was piloted on BBC3 last year – is coming back as a six-part series soon. Hooray! It was absolutely brilliant. I'll be off to the BFI's preview screening of the first episode (together with a Q&A with the writer and star(s)) next Friday, so I'll let you know what that was like afterwards – I hear it might just be the pilot episode with a new cast and made 'less dark', which would be a shame.
In the meantime, and to thrill you all, here are some videos: the first is a trailer for the series proper; the second is the entire pilot episode that someone has uploaded to YouTube; and the rest are prequels to the series, showing what each of the characters was like before they met each other – they're shot in a Blair Witch/Ghostwatch vein and at least one might be too gruesome to be transmitted on TV (even BBC3), although you never know, so watch them while you can. The Annie one is very good, BTW.
It's worth noting that the cast has changed, which is a bit disappointing, since Guy Flanagan was brilliant as Mitchell the vampire; Mitchell's now played by Aidan Turner (The Clinic), while Annie, the comedy Northern ghost formerly played by Andrea Riseborough, is now played by Lenora Crichlow (Sugar Rush). The exception is Russell Tovey, who plays George the werewolf: he'll be back for the series proper. There's also a production blog containing interviews with the cast that you can check out.
Trailer
Pilot episode
Annie the ghost (scary!)
The origin of George the werewolf - apologies about the 'American' accent (gruesome!)
Mitchell the vampire, back in the 60s (creepy and scary!)
Related entries
- January 19, 2009: Preview: Being Human
A preview of Being Human
January 7, 2009 | Reply
Oh, I am so worried about the BBC3-ing of this, the original had such an interesting melancholy quality as well as the humour. I forgot Little Dorrit played the ex, Russell Tovey's clearly doomed to always have unrequited love for her. While the original vampire perhaps wasn't the best actor in the world, his whispery, wispy loucheness really worked for the character. And I loved Andrea Riseborough's voice and the weird nazi-ness of the Vampire Pride movement. It was all so different! I worry it'll end up just being another lame genre-by-numbers piece. Be so interested to hear what you think of 2.0. The new clips are a bit cheesy - and man, that really is a shit American accent in the Blair Witch ripoff.
January 7, 2009 | Reply
I'm hoping for dark, I'm worried it's going to be Two Pints of Blood… instead.
January 8, 2009 | Reply
As much as I like Russell Tovey, I would have been badgering BBC-A to pick up this series if Guy Flanagan was still attached. He had great chemistry with Tovey and overall his John Mitchell was unique and a lot of fun.
I wonder if he was ever in the running for the Doctor?
January 8, 2009 | Reply
I absolutely loved the pilot for this (and idiotically didn't realise it was a pilot and spent a week searching for the next episode before realising my mistake). I loved the interaction of the characters, and hope they don't iron out the weird quirkiness. Haven't seen Lenora Crichlow in much, but she looks a bit too pretty for me, after Andrea Risborough's oddities. Very sorry about Guy Flanagan as well as he was brill. Still we'll be watching anyway and hoping its better then we fear!
January 14, 2009 | Reply
I have actually managed to see an advance copy of this (before you Rob, na na neenana). Phew! The tone of the show hasn't changed too much at all - it's DEFINITELY not Two Pints style. And, contrary to what I understood, it felt very much like Episode 2. Nothing from the pilot is contradicted and while it would probably more or less make sense without having seen the former, it would certainly help. I enjoyed it very much.
The new actors ... well, the main two are a bit of a let down for me. Lenora Critchlow is not as good as Andrea Riseborough, or as funny - but she's not really bad, though. Aidan Turner is perfectly decent, but I miss the fey quality of Guy Flanagan. On the other hand, Turner is much better looking, so there's that. However, much as I like Adrian Lester and was intrigued by the 'BNP meeting' flavour to the vampire society, the new Herrick is terrific and it probably works better this way. The 'new vampire' Lauren that Mitchell has just sired is probably better too and Tovey is still great (and still getting naked a lot). So overall, the changes are much, much better than I feared.
I won't say too much more to avoid spoilers. Brilliant Polo mint joke though!
January 14, 2009 | Reply
I'll be seeing it on Friday, so I'm not fussed, although kudos all the same. Mind you, Leslie's seen the whole series already so she could probably double suss you.
January 27, 2009 | Reply
I watched the pilot episode last February, mainly because of Guy Flanagan who I saw in MESSIAH and thought was Hell Hot - it was great to see him in something let alone something else at the time. I *loved* his Mitchell in every respect (thought he was very sexy - and dressed in black helps a lot ;-) ) and am disappointed he isn't in the series - would like to know why out of curiosity. However, as much as I was looking forward to the series I won't be watching it without Guy in it - it just wouldn't be or feel right to *me*. And what does Andrea mean that Aiden Turner is much better looking than Guy?!* Oh well - each to their own I suppose.
January 27, 2009 | Reply
"would like to know why out of curiosity."
a) his option expired
b) they wanted to go for someone less gothic, more 'normal'
March 10, 2009 | Reply
Charlotte: I so agree with you on Guy Flanagan, he is well hot and so much better than Turner. I'm a bit disappointed, would have liked to watch the show with Guy.
I think I'll still try a few more shows and see how it goes.