Monday 9 January 2012

BBC's Being Human Returns for a Fourth Season

Being Human season 4 - Damien Malony is Hal, Lenora Crichlow is Annie and Michael Socha is Tom

Warning: Spoilers below for Being Human season 3 and 4!!

BBC's hit supernatural drama Being Human is finally back for a fourth season this month but there are some shocking cast changes! We already knew that Aidan Turner (who plays John Mitchell) was leaving the cast due to landing a part in The Hobbit. The final episode of season 3 was heartbreaking and an absolute shock. For once, I did not receive any spoilers and I had no idea that Aidan was leaving! I literally cried out loud and screamed at the television when Mitchell was killed, I really wasn't expecting that! (Note to partners: it really isn't nice or a good idea to laugh at your partner when they are in that state).

What I didn't expect was the news that Sinead Keenan had decided to leave the cast too and won't be returning at all for season 4. When things couldn't seem more bleak, Russell Tovey (who plays George Sands) then announced that season 4 would be his last. Writer and executive producer Toby Whithouse had this to say of the challenges facing the show:

But once we’d stopped rocking and shaking, we saw Series 4 as an opportunity: we could invent new characters, expand the show in different directions, create new worlds and monsters and heroes, and add new layers to the overarching Being Human mythology. Suddenly Series 4 was a genuinely thrilling prospect.

I have to admit that I don't think the writers and producers have ever set a foot wrong with this show and every, single episode has been a hit. More than that, the actors, music, camera work, wardrobe, sets and supporting actors were a perfect package that drew viewers in week after week as we devoured each episode with gusto. I have no doubt that they will rise to the challenge and that this season will be incredible.

Being Human season 4 - Lenora Crichlow is Annie

So what can we expect from season 4? Lenora Crichlow will remain as Annie, the ghost who remained on the human plain when she was murdered by her fiance.

Being Human season 4 - Damien Malony is Hal  Being Human season 4 - Michael Socha is Tom

Damien Molony joins the cast as Hal, a vampire who has been around for over 500 years. Although he has been "clean" since meeting his friends Leo (a werewolf) and Pearl (a ghost) in 1955, Hal's every moment is ruled by the desire for blood and carnage.

Michael Socha (brother of Misfits star Lauren Socha) moved from semi-regular to lead this season (yay!) in his role as werewolf Tom. Tom has to learn to live, love and fight like a human and Toby Whithouse promises "Michael will break your heart this year"! I can't wait. I really love Michael Socha and definitely think he is an actor to watch over the next couple of years. I am sure that he will make this role his own.

Being Human season 4 - Russell Tovey is George Sands

All signs seem to indicate that George Sands is not doing well. In essence, the whole concept of 'being human' hinged on George and his desire to retain his humanity despite being afflicted with the curse. He absolutely depended on Annie and Mitchell to hold on tight to the last remnants of human self and to retain order. That all ended with the death of Mitchell and now he is truly devastated. I fully expect George's storylines to be the darkest they have ever been this season.

Being Human season 4 - Lenora Crichlow is Annie  Being Human season 4 - Russell Tovey is George Sands

And what else? Toby Whithouse tells us that this year Being Human will introduce us to a new type of supernatural creature, which I am VERY much looking forward to! We can look forward to guest appearances from Alex Jennings, Mark Gatiss, James Lance, Mark Williams, Amanda Abbingdon, Craig Roberts (reprising his role as teenage vampire Adam), Selina Griffiths and Ellie Kendrick. Finally, Toby promises that this year there is a genuinely shocking death and the audience will be transported to somewhere we’ve never been to before.

I cannot wait - how about you?

All images © BBC / Touchpaper

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9 comments

  1. I'm really not too sure about the series without the full original cast, it'll be like watching the terrible American version, but actors do grow out of things and they do have to move on to bigger projects eventually ;)

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    1. Yeah, quite a few people have expressed doubt that it can carry on but I think it is going to be quite awesome!

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  2. Very good review. I just watched the series on Neflix and liked it very much, am looking forward to the new series. It could have ended with Mitchell's death and gone out on a very dramatic note; sometimes a series can run too long and lose its bite:). Only time will tell if these cast changes will pan out or be panned, but I'm optimistic.

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    1. @ Jim: heh, great pun there! You're right, time will tell but I think we will be pleasantly surprised.

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  3. I watched 2st show last wk










    7 thought it was a little campy, but it was season 1 episode 1. perhaps I'll ck it out again. Sally

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  4. Sorry bout prob with comment-i'm using one hand. anyway, it was season 1 episode 1 & seemed a little campy.

    perhaps it gets better. I;ll try again. sally

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    1. It definitely is a bit campy Sally! A lot of UK series are but if you can look deeper than the silliness, they are often really good.

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  5. I didn't see season three. I think the Space channel here must have ties to the US channel and it is only the US Being Human that is on now. I don't care for it. They like violence for the sake of violence. Being loud does not make it good.

    Now, without Mitchell, I don't see the point in looking for the UK Being Human. Annie and Mitchell were interesting as a couple. I thought that was something they would explore.

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    1. @ Laura: Hmmm, I was wondering if season 3 had come out over the pond as I didn't see any reviews or anything. When they changed the actors for Annie and Mitchell after the pilot, I didn't think it would work either but it really did. So now I am optimistic that it can work again.

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