Being Human (TV Series) Pilot (2008) User Reviews

Should be made into a series

[Sonicweirdo · 8/10 · 18 February 2008]

I didn't know what to expect from this show. I thought it might be a bit of a light comedy. Bit like the odd couple but with the supernatural. I was shocked. I surprisingly deep, brooding, well written and enthralling watch. It wasn't as funny as I thought it would be, but it had its moments.

I don't know if this is going to be a series, or whether its a one off. By all accounts the story goes on after this episode. I for one hope it continues as there is so much there for them to carry on into. I liked the mysticism surrounding the vampire dude, and the ghost woman overcoming her fears. The only thing dodgy in the whole show was the vampire guys accent, where it came from and went to I have no idea.

A shining example of what the BBC can do

[mainframemouse · 9/10 · 19 February 2008]

Having watched what I thought was the first episode on Monday I was absolutely gnawing at the bit ready for the next episode. Then with a painful shock I found out it was a pilot episode.

The concept is what is it to be human. All of the "monsters" of the show have a human appearance, but asks the question is this enough. This concept has been used many times over, but with good writing can still be viable.

This has a subtle comedy style, which in parts reminded me of spaced and coupling.

The dialogue and acting was fantastic and you get an instant bond with the characters.

The Vampire, Mitchell has an air of Jarvis Cocker about him, something not lost of the producers who have a scene to the music "Common People". Gangerly yet gorgeous. He can exist during the day, but must be well covered. A understandable detour from vampire convention, since night time filming is very expensive. Its unclear whether feeding without killing is possible, but it leans away from this with Mitchell forsaking blood completely.

George the werewolf, has the look of the innocent lovable geek. But when confronted with the woman beating boyfriend of an old girlfriend he shows a contained beastial wrath that was an un-nerving joy to behold. There is a great transformation sequence at the beginning with a real sense of pain and suffering.

Annie the ghost, is a character I didn't get an instant bond with. Not due to writing or acting, she just wasn't ghostly enough. For all intent and purpose she is corporeal which is in fitting with the shows concept but at odds to the standard concept of a ghost.

Other than the ghost, my only other thought is the number of vampires in the city. I hope that this was a country wide gathering rather then the collective of the city, since that high number of potential killers in one city shatters any conception of believability.

I truly hope that this pilot gets a full season.

About time the BBC Earned there There License Fee

[UK-DarkSpider-82 · 8/10 · 18 February 2008]

I plan to make all my friends watch this as.. it is that good! the story sounds a little kiddie and possibly got all the hallmarks of not being good...

a vampire.. a werewolf and a ghost live in a house together... sounds like the making of a joke. But the actors all of them without exception and i don't mean just the leads! Are the best I have ever seen from this nature of TV show! made in the UK! At times i found my self stating "did i write this as its exactly what i want from this kind of show!" It was funny, serious, dramatic and VERY, VERY well produced and filmed! The chosen camera angles leave enough to the imagination, they tease the dark powers and they leave so much up to your mind but present you with enough to satisfy your interest... IT kept me on my seat from beginning to end! I must say.. made a refreshing change to watch something like this without adverts! Finally! something worth watching on the beeb that isn't a comedy.

finally something sci-fi fantasy with a story line and nice effects.. almost as worthy a watch as supernatural.. although only time will tell if the beeb ruin this as they did the Dr who franchise by introducing torchwood! (ironically the best episode of Torchwood was written by Toby Whithouse!) For now! Thank you Toby Whitehouse, Declan O'Dwyer & Amazing Team cast and production for a Great Pilot episode! I hope it doesn't stray or bore from this point on! Now everyone go watch this show!

A vampire, a werewolf and a ghost walk into a pub ...

[beren-18 · 10/10 · 19 February 2008]

This series is fabulous and very British.

We have Mitchell, a vampire of undisclosed age, who has obviously seen a great deal of the world. He does not like the fact he kills people and is ashamed when he "recruits" others to be vampires.

Then we have George, the highly intelligent, somewhat OCD werewolf. He is brilliant and has a lovely bod which we get to see a hell of a lot in the first ep. His love/hate relationship with his curse if beautifully written and wonderfully acted.

Finally there is Annie, the ghost. Mitchell and George decide to rent a house and it is Annie's house. She had been chasing away all the other residents because they can't see her and it frustrates her. Mitchell and George can see her which in turn then allows others to see her. She seems to be able to do everything but eat and drink.

The layers of vampire society we see a little of and the interactions between the characters are superb. When a show can go from having George nearly killing someone with such drama that you're grabbing the arms of your chair to Mitchell and George both refusing to go up stairs and find out what the weird noises are because they're scared, in the same episode, it has to be good.

Funny at times and highly dramatic at others, this is a fabulous show.

Just your average houseshare really.....

[neilstorton · 10/10 · 20 February 2008]

may have spoilers...

Had no preconceptions of this as hadnt seen any trailers Just happened to be on BBC3 when it started.... As a one -off I thought it was inspired....very British....solid acting... believable characters and their struggles against their individual curses....

The 3 leads were outstanding - and whilst it sets itself up beautifully for a series following the ghost, vampire and werewolf and their insights into faith, knowledge, instinct, loneliness and exactly what defines a 'monster' and what defines 'human' I would be worried that such a brilliant opening would be let down if it decended into a mainly blade type vampire series.

Anyway - this is ace and i cant rate it highly enough.

One of the best dramas to come from the BBC in a long time!

[manufanatic · 10/10 · 21 February 2008]

I wasn't even planning to watch this, I hadn't even heard of it. I had been watching Torchwood, which is rubbish by the way, and I saw an advert for Being Human while the credits rolled. I though this sounded interesting, so I decided to watch it.

By the time it had finished, I was completely won over. In just one episode, I felt more for for Mitchell and Co than I do for the entire Torchwood team put together. This is funny, smart, dramatic and very very good.

You may ask why I compare Being Human to Torchwood. The reason is this, Torchwood is meant to be one of the leading BBC shows but, for me, it's to up-it's-own-ass to be any good. Being Human has taught Torchwood a thing or two and I sincerely hope they make more.

Being Human to be recommissioned as a series!!

[kymmbo · 9/10 · 27 April 2008]

Whey!! Great news. Heard on BBC points of view (Which I don't usually watch but what can I say?? It was a quiet evening and I was chilling out recovering from a hangover!!) that Being Human is going to be recommissioned as a series in the future.

Thoroughly enjoyed the one-off play and was bitterly disappointed that there were no plans to develop the likable characters and storyline, the ending of which Lent itself so readily to further expansion. I've not enjoyed a made for TV programme about this genre since Ultraviolet in the late 1990's

Can't wait!!

A curious beginning

[cgyford · 8/10 · 5 September 2009]

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?

Written for another cast

[groucho1970 · 19 February 2008]

Stop me if you've heard this one,Dracula The Wolfman and Casper the ghost walk in to a bar...............

OK not quite but taking a slightly over used premise of vampire taking the "black ribbon" and wishing to loose his blood sucking nature. Add to it a lycanphropic best mate,mix in a touch of 70's kids show "rent'a'ghost" put in a contemporary setting you have "Being Human" Not clever enough to be a rom-zom-com not scary enough to be given a late night cult Clearly written for David Thewliss,Danny Dyer and Jane Horricks but the cast do a reasonable impression not bad just not that good.

Not that hot, and not even in the same league as Torchwood

[critchstarblade · 5/10 · 1 April 2008]

So, leaving the bar jokes alone, we have a werewolf whose character simply isn't that interesting 3/4 of the month, we have a vampire who doesn't want to be a vampire (And can walk around in broad daylight with apparently no problems), and we have a ghost that for all intents and purposes might as well be alive considering she can touch and be touched, and be seen by everyone. It really seems like most of the ideas and plot were just taken from other, better shows, and received heavy inspiration from the success of Jekyyl. It's worth a go I guess but unless you're heavy into the spooky Gothic side of life there's not much here to hold the interest, especially since this would work far better as a sitcom.

TL;DR: Vampire that doesn't really act like a vampire and can withstand sunlight + Ghost that isn't ghostlike at all + Werewolf that 90% of the time isn't a werewolf = Generic British spooky show

Being Human Ep 1 currently being filmed

[stephen-996 · 2 October 2008]

As I know somebody who is working on this project I can tell you that episodes 1 & 2 are currently being shot in Bristol. I have also been told that currently they propose to air the series in early December 2008. I didn't see the original pilot which was aired in February however now that I know someone in the show I am more interested in seeing it. Does anyone know how I can track down the pilot, I haven't seen it for sale anywhere. I hope that they show it again before the new series starts, it will help re-introduce the plot line and characters. I can't say I recognise any of the named actors so I actually don't know what to expect.