"Being Human" Pilot (2008)

Director:

Declan O'Dwyer

Writer:

Toby Whithouse (writer)

TV Series:

"Being Human" (2008)

Original Air Date:

18 February 2008 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Plot:

Two twentysomethings, George (a werewolf) and Mitchell (a vampire), move into a flatshare only to discover that their new home is haunted by Annie, the ghost of a previous tenant. |

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | Vampire | Ghost

Cast

Guy Flanagan	...	John Mitchell
Andrea Riseborough	...	Annie
Russell Tovey	...	George Sands
Adrian Lester	...	Herrick
Claire Foy	...	Julia
Dominique McElligott	...	Lauren
Dylan Brown	...	Seth
Saikat Ahamed	...	Mortuary Attendant
Zara Ramm	...	Cathy
Huw Davies	...	Rory
Will Irvine	...	Peter
Nathalie Armin	...	Eleanor

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Touchpaper Television

Trivia:

George's werewolf origin story is nearly identical to that of David Kessler's in An American Werewolf in London (1981). Both are attacked while running with another man, who is mauled and killed. Both George and David are then saved by villagers shooting the wolf, and ultimately wake up in a hospital.

Quotes:

Annie: But normal people can't see me.
George Sands: We are perfectly normal, thank you.
Annie: Er, sorry but by normal I meant: doesn't turn into the Littlest Hobo once a month.

A curious beginning

Whithouse's winning pilot is a dark and dreary affair that will doubtless appeal to those of an emo disposition and has the promises an involving drama series along the lines of "This Life" or "Teachers" only with monsters and it is easy to see why the "Reading Chronicle" could win wide public support to get the commission.

Flanagan makes a magnificent lead breaking away from the pretty boy image of vampires he is dark, grungy and fits well with the waif-like Riseborough, who seems truly lost, and the whiny Tovey, who transforms as the moon waxes, whilst Brown lurks menacingly in the shadows and Lester gives a powerful turn.

The Gothic styled pilot firmly establishes it's character's as tortured souls writhing with their individual afflictions but finding solace in the companionship of the others giving rise to rare moments of uplifting solace and light humour that if balanced correctly could fulfil the prophecy that "it will in time become a much loved friend".

Can you detect anything creepy?