"Dead Set" (2008) TV mini-series

Creator:

Charlie Brooker

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

27 October 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Horror

Plot:

During a fictional series of Big Brother, a zombie outbreak occurs, but the house-mates are unaware of the impending doom outside of the Big Brother House.

Plot Keywords:

Big Brother | Zombie | Show Within A Show | Satire | TV Channel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Chizzy Akudolu	...	Angel (5 episodes, 2008)
Shelley Conn	...	Claire (5 episodes, 2008)
Raj Ghatak	...	Grayson (5 episodes, 2008)
Jennifer Aries	...	Sophie (5 episodes, 2008)
Cavan Clerkin	...	Dennis (5 episodes, 2008)
Drew Edwards	...	Colin (5 episodes, 2008)
Elyes Gabel	...	Danny (5 episodes, 2008)
Krishnan Guru-Murthy	...	Himself (5 episodes, 2008)
Madra Ihegborow	...	Makeup Girl (5 episodes, 2008)
Maxi Moffatt	...	Gormless (5 episodes, 2008)
Rachel Ogilvy	...	Angela (5 episodes, 2008)
Jaime Winstone	...	Kelly (5 episodes, 2008)
Kyle Summercorn	...	Bob (5 episodes, 2008)
Andy Nyman	...	Patrick (5 episodes, 2008)
Kelly Wenham	...	Chloe (5 episodes, 2008)
Riz Ahmed	...	Riq (5 episodes, 2008)
Helen Adams	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Brian Belo	...	Himself (5 episodes, 2008)
Liz May Brice	...	Alex (5 episodes, 2008)
Warren Brown	...	Marky (5 episodes, 2008)
Paul 'Bubble' Ferguson	...	Himself (5 episodes, 2008)
Beth Cordingly	...	Veronica (5 episodes, 2008)
Adam Deacon	...	Space (5 episodes, 2008)
Kevin Eldon	...	Joplin (5 episodes, 2008)
Makosi Musambasi	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Kathleen McDermott	...	Pippa (5 episodes, 2008)
Eugene Sully	...	Himself (5 episodes, 2008)
Imogen Thomas	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Saskia Howard-Clarke	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Marcus Bentley	...	Himself / ... (5 episodes, 2008)
Kinga Karolczak	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Davina McCall	...	Herself (5 episodes, 2008)
Ziggy Lichman	...	Himself (4 episodes, 2008)
Pamela Kempthorne	...	Zombie (3 episodes, 2008)
Johnny Shingleton	...	Zombie (3 episodes, 2008)

Runtime:

141 min (5 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (2009)

Company:

Zeppotron

Goofs:

Continuity: Kelly runs outside and jumps into a blue truck. When she realizes the keys aren't in the ignition, she gets out and slams the trucks door shut. In the next shot the door is suddenly wide open.

Movie Connections:

References "Big Brother" (2000/III)

Truly frightening

Charlie Brooker breaks a number of boundaries in creating this magnificent series - but most importantly, he has written the only zombie television series to date, either in the UK or the US. Although the plot contains more gaping wounds than Davina McCall after a zombie's had a go at her, what it lacks in integrity it makes up for in sheer suspense and terror. The premise is laughable - a zombie outbreak is bringing Britain to its knees, and the only ones unaware of this are locked safely inside the "Big Brother" house - but this little gem turns out to be an extremely frightening experience.

While Big Brother host Davina McCall steals the show, she does not play a particularly challenging role, and finds her initial role of playing a fictional version of herself even more challenging than playing a bloodthirsty zombie. On the other hand, Jaime Winstone and the rest of the cast put in fantastic performances all round. One of the series' only faults is the very shaky and often frustrating camera-work, which can be effective at times in adding to the realistic "documentary feel", but often just makes it difficult to work out what is actually happening on screen.

While making a few jabs at the state of British television and celebrity culture - the world is coming to an end, yet Big Brother is still on - the series also manages to deliver truly terrifying scenes and a great sense of nihilism throughout.