Being Human (TV)

 

(2009-2013)

Created by Toby Whithouse
Starring Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, Aiden Turner
IMDB Entry

Gimmick stories can make for bad television, but one big exception is the UK series Being Human.*

The gimmick is simple. Three roommates just happen to be supernatural beings. George (Russell Tovey) is a werewolf. Mitchell (Aiden Turner) was a vampire. Annie (Lenora Crichlow) is a ghost. Vampires hate werewolves, but Mitchell -- who is trying to make do without killing people and drinking blood -- rescues George and become roommates and end up in the apartment that Annie is haunting. They have to negotiate being human and keeping their secrets, which isn't easy.

George and Mitchell both work as orderlies in a hospital, taking the menial job to keep from hurting people. George is moody and ashamed of what he becomes with every full moon, since he's pure animal. Mitchell keeps being tempted by circumstances and other vampires to drink blood and kill, something he can't always resist.  Annie is bright and bubbly and tries to make the most of being dead until she finally discovers how it happened.

There is a good mixture of drama and humor and plenty of villains out to tempt them and kill them.

I recognized Russell Tovey from the Doctor Who episode "Voyage of the Damned," where he played Alonzo Frame, the second in command.** His George is the most cautious of the group, pointing out the various pitfalls of any plan. Aiden Turner is best known from playing Poldark and brings both brooding and humor to the role. Lenora Crichlow has done quite a few UK series, both before and after, and her Annie is a delight.

The show ran for five seasons and is terrific throughout.

__________________________________________________________________________
*There later was Canadian-American version that aired on SciFi.

**Allowing the Doctor to finally say "Allons-y Alonso"