The Galleon - Portsmouth's Official Student Newspaper

One of the UK’s most-loved supernatural dramas has come back onto our screens with a fourth series, but with rumours circulating that several of the lead characters were not returning (to pursue other roles elsewhere), there was speculation that it will fail to live up to its usual hype. On the contrary, despite the loss of leading vampire Mitchell, played by Aidan Turner, in the finale episode of series three, Being Human has undoubtedly come back with a bang.

The first episode seizes the opportunity of a fresh start by running wild with the storyline. Not only does it open into the future of the year 2037, where a war between vampires and the resistance is raging, but there is also a new wave of supernaturals in town, a family consisting of a vampire, werewolf and ghost shown to be living surprisingly harmoniously.

The immediate departure of fundamental characters has only enhanced Toby Whithouse’s ingenious writing skills, the creator and writer behind it all, and his taste for dark, haunting plots. The comedic value is left untouched, much to the relief of fans as the drama would be incomplete without its satanic gags and witty remarks. Being Human started with the idea of a family of three supernaturals co-existing like normal civilians, desperately trying to fit in with society. However, this had a limited lifeline before the programme lost its initial originality, and Whithouse made sure that this never withered. Rather than continuing where series three trailed off with the death of Mitchell, it wastes no time in marching straight into revealing new faces and places. The episode divulges in the unsolved mysteries of the history of vampires and investigates how the race could swiftly meet its end if the baby of the werewolves remains alive. When Russell Tovey inevitably takes his final bow as the loveable, kind-hearted werewolf George, his performance is utterly moving as he drifts into the afterlife to be reunited with his girlfriend once again. Lenora Crichlow, who plays ghost Annie, is the only remaining original and continues to watch from the sidelines as her loved ones leave. This sense of abandonment and true sympathy for her is effectively displayed to the audience, which has never been entirely focused on until now.

There are questions you can’t help but ponder: how will Annie take to the arrival of supernaturals? Will the new vampire fill the noticeable absence of Mitchell or will he become a cheap mockery? These characters will partially determine the success of this series, and whether or not the subsequent episodes will match the first is another matter, but there is some kind of spark in the first episode, hinting that there is so much more yet to come.