The Best Supernatural Series About Classic Monsters, Stream Without Netflix
The era between the 2000s and 2010s seems to have belonged to vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures before the decade handed the fame baton to superheroes and video game adaptations. However, one series, which was not in line with the aforementioned times, managed to garner relatively decent success among critics and crowds alike, featuring classic monsters set in a modern setting. We are, of course, talking about Being Human.
A Vampire, A Werewolf, And A Ghost Walk Into A House
For those who haven’t watched it, Being Human is a supernatural drama series based on BBC’s series of the same name. It shares the original premise but not many of its elements. Namely, the series follows three individuals, Aiden, Josh, and Sally, who become roommates in their twenties while trying to keep their secrets from the rest of the world.
It sounds like a weird version of Friends, and it is because Aiden (Sam Witwer) is a 200-year-old vampire, Josh (Sam Huntington) is a werewolf, and Sally (Meagan Rath) is a ghost. All three of them are helping each other with the complexities of their double lives while figuring out their own.
One Of SyFy’s Best Debuts
The series opens up with Josh and Aiden moving into an old modern-style home, which is haunted by Sally, and they all quickly become close friends, going through the extremity of their living situation as well as life, or perhaps un-life itself.
The series was actually quite successful and found an audience, making it Syfy’s most successful winter season scripted series of 2005, considering that it was viewed by nearly 20 million unique viewers. What’s even more notable is the fact that the show’s audience was 52 percent women, which was the first for Syfy.
Based On The U.K. Series
Being Human is actually based on Being Human, a same-name BBC series that masterfully blended the elements of flatshare comedy and horror drama. The original series was received extremely favorably, with many critics calling it a curious genre mashup that transcends the advantages and drawbacks of its composing genres. Just like the US version of the show, the BBC version was also heavily nominated for various awards, and just like its overseas younger cousin, it also received several awards.
Drastic Differences Between The Two Shows
However, while the US version followed the same premise, there were some notable distinctions between the two related releases. The US version of Being Human sported a different style of humor, and while its characters featured the same supernatural characteristics, their backgrounds, personalities, and story arcs differed significantly from their UK counterparts. For example, Aidan’s past is more extensively explored, and Sally has a broader storyline involving witchcraft and limbo.
A One-Of-A-Kind Series
Delivery also differs. The original Being Human focused more on the struggles of its characters in relation to the human world, with more existential undertones, while the US version often focused more on action and suspense. It also incorporated additional elements, like vampire politics and the complexities of ghostly powers.
Both versions are often compared to one another, and, in all honesty, they’re both great for different reasons.
Those interested in watching the US version of Being Human can see the series on Prime Video, Google Play, and Vudu.
