Common Sense Media Review
Edgy British show about "monsters" examines human nature.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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 Details
- Premiere date : July 25, 2009
- Cast : Aidan Turner , Lenora Crichlow , Russell Tovey
- Network : BBC America
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : July 31, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate