Being Human: Season One

This BBC fantasy drama features a trio of supernatural “monsters” sharing an apartment in Bristol, trying to live as humans despite the obvious challenges. John (Aidan Turner), reborn as a vicious vampire after his death as an infantryman in World War I, has renounced his primal urges and plays the big brother/coach role for his two roommates, helping the socially awkward George (Russell Tovey), who turns into a werewolf with every full moon, and the reclusive, emotionally fragile ghost Annie (Lenora Crichlow), to confront their demons, so to speak. More character piece than horror show, the series also sports comic flourishes and diversionary subplots (such as a conspiracy that tries to draw John back into the predator fold) while the roommates struggle to keep their powers in check. But the mismatched threesome makes for good company even when just hanging out in their flat—swapping small talk, sharing survival strategies, and trying to come to terms with their skewed identities. Avoiding the soap opera complications of American network supernatural melodramas, Being Human serves up sexy violent fun. Compiling all six episodes of the 2008 debut season, DVD/Blu-ray extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, an interview with creator Toby Whithouse, video diaries, and deleted scenes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)