Sam Witwer
Meaghan Rath
Sam Huntington
Kristen Hage

Developed by:
Jeremy Carver
Anna Fricke

2011-2014
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Syfy
TV-14

The North American version of “Being Human,” which is produced in Montreal, airs on Syfy in the U.S., and is set in Boston, Massachusetts, is similar to (but not exactly the same as) the original U.K. (BBC Three) version, which was created by Toby Whithouse. The pilot of the North American version is a little more serious and a bit more polished, though, probably because it’s newer. (This version’s pilot aired in 2011, three years after the U.K. version’s premiere.) But the situations are the same; they’re just handled a little differently.

One major difference is that this version’s pilot focuses less on the female ghost (played by Canadian actress Meaghan Rath) and more on the werewolf (played by Sam Huntington) and on the vampire (played by Sam Witwer). Also, this version uses special effects to show how the ghost appears to others. In the original, they switch between the ghost’s perspective and the outside perspectives, instead: The camera switches between showing what the ghost sees and showing whether she’s being seen or not; it doesn’t show her appearing and disappearing before the werewolf’s and vampire’s eyes or how they can see her but not touch her, as this newer version does. The writing’s still just OK, and the acting follows suit.

Neither of these versions is much fun, though. I’d rather watch “The Vampire Diaries,” for instance, because that show has fun with its material and it knows what kind of show it is. That counts for something. “Being Human” needs to either go dark, all the way, or be a bit more playful. As it is, it’s found a somewhat boring middle ground. So it’s just OK … kind of.

Verdict: OKish

About: (Source: beinghumanUS)

Four 20-something roommates: A ghost (Sally), a vampire (Aidan) and two werewolves (Josh and Nora) struggle to keep their dark secrets from the world, while also helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives.