| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this British drama about a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost examines what it really means to be human. The supernatural roommates support each other as they try to manage their unique physical conditions and seek happiness. In the process, the series shows that despite their dark needs and less-than-human cravings, they can be just like anyone else -- in need of human contact, friendship, and love. Don't tune in expecting Twilight, though: The show is aimed at older viewers and features swearing, the occasional passionate sex scene/brief partial nudity, and a fair bit of blood and gore.
A ghost, a vampire, and a werewolf move into a house together. It sounds like the setup for a bad joke, but it’s really the format for an intriguing drama about the undead and the nature of humanity. In BEING HUMAN, the supernatural trio attempts to live normal lives -- despite some very significant complications. Mitchell (Aidan Turner) is the handsome, brooding vampire who tries to control his bloodlust. George (Russell Tovey) is a bit of a geek, whose inner beast is released once a month. And Annie (Lenora Crichlow) has trouble accepting her own death.
The characters aren't fully human, but they give it a good try, and their struggles shed some light on what it really means to be a person. All they want, just like anyone else, is to find love and enjoy life. Their stories are all tragic in different ways. For Annie, the worst part of being a ghost is loneliness; few people can see her, and she finds it especially painful to see her beloved former fiancé. Mitchell must control both his craving for blood and his erotic desires because romantic encounters can trigger his thirst and often end badly for his partners. And gentle George is mortified after every transformation to see the destruction caused by his wild alter ego.
These already challenging lives are further complicated when the three meet others of their kind, especially Mitchell and George. Neither of them wants to fully embrace their dark natures, but they're constantly tempted, and watching their brethren revel in their power is alluring. In such moments of weakness, it’s important that they can lean on each other. The characters in this unusual and entertaining series have a very special friendship, based on the shared knowledge that none will ever be fully human.
Families can talk about what makes people human. Though the main characters might be considered “monsters," they clearly have the same needs for companionship as anyone else. Can “monsters” also be human? Aren’t there some real humans who act more like monsters than them?
How do the “monsters” in this series compare to the way they've been portrayed in other TV shows and movies? Do they seem less monstrous? Does making them the central characters instead of the villains change the way you see them? Does it make them seem more “human”?
| TV rating: | NR |
| Network: | BBC America |
| Cast: | Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey |
| Genre: | Drama |