Being Human: Season 1

Being Human is a witty and extraordinary look into the lives of three twenty-somethings and their secret double-lives - as a werewolf, a vampire and a ghost - as they struggle to live normally despite their strange and dark secrets.
George (Russell Tovey) and Mitchell (Aidan Turner) work in anonymous drudgery as hospital porters in Bristol, England. They lead lives of quiet desperation under the burden of a terrible secret - Mitchell's a vampire and George a werewolf. Deciding to start life afresh and leave behind the dark side, they move into a house, only to find that Annie (Lenora Crichlow), the ghost of a woman killed in mysterious circumstances, haunts it. As the threesome deal with the challenges of their new lives together, they're united in their desire to blend in with their human neighbors. But with unwelcome intruders into their world, a threatened revolution from the vampire underworld, constant threats of exposure, and the day-to-day issues faced by young people - the only thing they may be able to rely on is each other.

Episode 1
Three twenty-something housemates who are united in trying to live normal lives despite struggling with unusual afflictions: one's a werewolf, one's a vampire, and one's a ghost. On first appearances things seem to be positive and 'normal' for the three friends. Ghost Annie is buoyed by the fact she is finally starting to be seen by ordinary people, rather than just by her housemates. In an attempt to escape the guilt and self-loathing for his previous killings, vampire Mitchell has sworn off blood, determined to kick the habit. Even the neurotic and anxious George is in relatively good spirits, putting his monthly transformation into a rampaging werewolf to the back of his mind to focus on life in the new house-share. But it's not long before their supernatural conditions catch up with them...

Episode 2
George is shocked when he meets another werewolf, Tully (Dean Lennox Kelly, Shameless). Tully is the opposite of George - he's perfectly content being a werewolf. He wants to teach George how to enjoy himself, but George just can't accept what he's become and is disgusted by Tully's attitude. Unfortunately, Tully's invited to stay at the house by Mitchell - a failed attempt on his part to embrace the world and be more human. Of course, he soon becomes the housemate from hell.

Episode 3
Annie meets another ghost, Gilbert (Alex Price), who died in the mid-1980s. He lets Annie know she's stuck in limbo because there is something unresolved about her death. Meanwhile, a nurse George works with is clearly interested in being more than friends, but he does not think, considering his situation, that he should be in a relationship. But as the full moon gets closer, and George's animalistic tendencies take hold, he becomes more impulsive - and lusty.

Episode 4
Mitchell's attempts to embrace humanity become even more intense when he befriends a 12-year-old boy, Bernie (Mykola Allen), and his divorced mom, Fleur (Julia Ford), who live on the same street. But things turn sour when Bernie is shocked to see a glimpse of Mitchell's vampire existence. Meanwhile, Annie is traumatized by a shocking revelation about Owen. Through her rage she discovers some powerful and uncontrollable skills.

Episode 5
Mitchell is traumatized by the way his friendship with Bernie ended, which has pushed him back towards the vampire fold. Annie decides that she must avenge Owen and enlists George's help, but her self-confidence is at an all time low, and Owen still has a firm hold on her emotions even in death. Meanwhile Nina is becoming ever more suspicious of George's behavior. George knows that if this relationship is to work then he cannot hide his true nature forever..

Episode 6
Mitchell is in the hospital following an almost-fatal attack on his doorstep. Mitchell does not want his friends involved in the inevitable showdown with his lethal attackers, but Annie bravely decides that she cannot just stand by without doing anything. But George is faced with a huge dilemma. Should he try to help Mitchell, or should he flee and try to start a normal life with his girlfriend?

Directed by Colin Teague, Charles Martin, Toby Haynes, Alex Pillai, Kenneth Glenaan
Written by Toby Whithouse
Produced by Matthew Bouch
Executive Produced by Rob Pursey, Toby Whithouse
Original Music by Richard Wells
Cinematography by Nic Morris
Film Editing by Mike Hopkins, Paul Endacott, Philip Hookway
Costume Design by Stewart Meachem

Interviews
MATTHEW BOUCH (PRODUCER) AND TOBY WHITHOUSE (WRITER)
On agreeing that the characters should all be believable, as if they could exist in the real world:
"We had to re-imagine how these supernatural creatures would be if they really did exist. We have very real and human characters with adult dilemmas, placed in a fantasy context," says Matthew. Toby concurs, "Jason Watkins in the role of Herrick looks incredibly normal and human, but as soon as he starts speaking, he gives across this undercurrent of evil, ambition
and cruelty. We wanted to give the vampires a much more convincing and realistic cover story."
On balancing multiple genres of Being Human:
One of the most appealing things about the show is its unusual cross-genre nature, but this also meant a fine balancing act for the production team. Matthew explains: "Being Human has elements of comedy, horror, soap and supernatural. But what makes it a rich mix also makes it potentially quite tricky as you don't want to allow any one of those elements to dominate too much. I think with a combination of Toby's script and the brilliant cast we've pulled it off."
Toby says of his story line, "I like the idea of suggesting that there is some kind of underworld, another life, another story that is going on in the world that we're unaware of - that's hidden. I wrote an episode of Doctor Who a couple of years ago that was set in a school. The Monday after it transmitted I heard reports that teachers were walking out to the front of their class and saying, ‘Physics, physics, physics', which is what the Doctor said. It made the kids wonder if their teachers were really aliens."
RUSSELL TOVEY - GEORGE
Russell Tovey plays George, a down-to-earth hospital porter who every full moon transforms into a blood-thirsty werewolf. He explains that there is much more to Being Human than the supernatural element. "There are so many layers to it-it's not just about a vampire, werewolf and ghost-it's about three people struggling with life and trying to cope, which everybody can relate to. I would describe it as a kind of This Life/Cold Feet/Buffy."
When describing George, Russell explains, "He's a screwed up fellow but he's also got a heart of gold, he's a sweetheart and he doesn't want to hurt anyone. I think people will find him a bit odd but he's a very endearing, loveable guy. He just wants to be normal, and I suppose a lot of people in life struggle with this if they're somehow different. They just want to be the norm but the point is; what is the norm?"
George couldn't be any more different to his laid-back flatmate and best friend Mitchell, but it's these differences that make the relationship work. "He loves Mitchell to pieces-but he has a problem with him in the fact that Mitchell seems to be sorted and cool and calm and collected, whereas George is this neurotic, slightly camp guy. They have a kind of odd couple relationship."
His relationship with Annie is slightly more complicated, as Russell explains. "It's complete Murphy's Law to George, moving into a house to be normal and then there's a ghost there. So I think for George his relationship towards Annie is slight resentment and a slight annoyance. He's always battling against her being around because it doesn't fit his quota of what he wants to be the norm."
There was one element of filming that Russell had to get used to... "My clothes get ripped in the transformation, so I'm naked a lot. I'm running through the woods naked and there's 20 crewmembers watching me-and it's cold. But once you've been filmed naked once it becomes more normal. I filmed one scene and they gave me the option to film it with my clothes on and I just said ‘Let's do it with the clothes off, eh?"
LENORA CRICHLOW - ANNIE
Lenora Crichlow plays insecure ghost Annie, who meets George and Mitchell when they move into the apartment she shared with her fiancé-which she subsequently died in. When she first read the scripts Lenora was intrigued by the idea behind it. "It was pitched to me by my agent as a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire sharing a house, and I thought ‘that's a bit out there.'"
But the combination of an original story grounded firmly in real life immediately impacted on Lenora. "I thought it was really funny and it was a script with heart. It's really quirky and light in some places, but it's got quite a dark undertone. It's just a really fresh take on dealing with life."
Lenora believes that the characters are also very appealing, and that everyone will be able to tap into some part of each of them. "All the character's unusual qualities are grounded in real stuff-addiction, self-esteem, anger, love-all of them are dealing with being human just on a really extreme scale."
Annie and Mitchell share a very strong relationship, which Lenora describes as almost paternal. "Mitchell is the father figure or older brother of the house, he's kind of in charge and Annie looks to him to make sure everything's OK. He gives her a lot of reassurance and she feels safe in his presence. He's so old, he's been there, done it all, he seems to be a bit more knowing. He's there for Annie, he's her rock."
On working with Aidan Turner (Mitchell) and Russell Tovey (George), Lenora says, "They're wicked. I couldn't ask for two better guys to be working with. We spend time together off set and on set-they're both brilliant and I love watching their work. I think we really have a lovely chemistry-I'm going to stop gushing now."
AIDAN TURNER - MITCHELL
Aidan Turner, who plays effortlessly cool vampire Mitchell, says he was hooked on the first reading of the scripts for Being Human. "From the first episode it really works. It's a great premise, it's all in the title really-it's very realistic situations and deals with tons of real issues. It's dark and witty-Toby is a fantastic writer."
What also appealed to Aidan was the sense of reality which shone through in the characters and the story. "When tackling a supernatural subject I sometimes find it difficult to invest in the characters because they don't really exist-but there's so much heart to this story, so much reality to it, it's easy to relate to the characters.
"Certainly George, Annie and Mitchell because they are three normal guys, which is evident from the first episode. They're not flying around putting spells on people-they work in the hospital, live in an apartment together, watch TV and go to clubs. I hope that people watching think, ‘I'd like them to be my friend.' I think that's important."
For Aidan, the fact that Mitchell is a vampire was a big attraction to the role. "Everyone wants to play a vampire-it's something I've always wanted to play. It's just one of those parts. Also when you research into vampires there are all these cults around the world that are influenced by them one way or another, so that was a really interesting aspect to discover."
The fact that Mitchell is a vampire, and has therefore been around a long time, makes him a complicated character to play. As Aidan explains, "Mitchell is 118 years old and to play someone like that is brilliant. With his maturity he has a certain kind of responsibility and a worldly experience that not all people have. He's not bothered by a lot of things-that side of him I aspire to be like."
Finally, Aidan believes that audiences will relate to Mitchell and his struggle. "Everyone has a dark side that they don't expose too often - but when they do, you know about it."

Mitchell
Aidan Turner plays the good-looking and laid-back Mitchell who, in contrast to George, has the gift of the gab and an easy confidence with the ladies. But he is also a blood-sucking vampire struggling with going cold-turkey from the blood he craves.

George
Russell Tovey reprises his role as the lovable George, battling with his double identity as a mild-mannered and geeky hospital porter who for one night a month is transformed into a flesh-hungry, predatory werewolf.

Annie
Completing the flat-share trio is Annie, played by Lenora Crichlow, a talkative ghost lacking in self-confidence and desperate for company. Annie is still pining after her boyfriend, whom she was due to marry before the fatal accident that left her with her ghostly affliction - and who happens to be the landlord of their flat.

"Engaging, dark and wickedly funny" - Sci Fi Wire

"Unlike anything done before it" - Orlando Examiner

"Developed and engaging" - Orlando Examiner

"True Blood fans will enjoy this" - People Magazine

"It's Friends for ghouls." -- People Magazine

"what could easily become one of the most addictive sci-fi/horror imports since the launch of Torchwood..." NJ Daily Journal

"fun and enthralling" - NJ Daily Journal

" on a par with Supernatural, Torchwood and Buffy" -- NJ Daily Journal

"Being Human stands out, mainly because it has what the others lack: a sense of humor" -- Orlando Sentinel

"Gripping drama with possibly some of the best ensemble chemistry I've seen in a while" -- io9

"very smart, very funny, very moving, and very insightful" -- Phillyist

"unexpectedly amazing television" - TV Squad

"If you enjoy True Blood, Twilight, Supernatural, Buffy, Angel, or really just quality television, you owe it to yourself to at least give this one a try" -- TV Squad

"Fascinating" -- If Magazine

"ultimately interesting" -- Chicago Tribune

"well-acted, smartly written, believable, witty and riveting" - Philadelphia Inquirer

"a big upgrade over its nearest American counterpart, True Blood." -- Philadelphia Inquirer

"...Being Human continues to be excellent Saturday night entertainment."-- Clique Clack

"great comedy in what can be a pretty serious drama." -- IGN

"an awesome BBC supernatural drama and character piece." -- 411 Mania

"BBC has really outdone themselves this time" -- Finer Dandy

"One's a werewolf, one's a ghost, and the third is a vampire. And they all rock" -- TV Guide

"canny mix of supernatural drama and buddy comedy." -- Alibi

"...bring on season two" - If Magazine

"very interesting indeed"-- If Magazine