American MISFITS remake still possible...

The possibility of a US remake of E4's fantastic superhero drama Misfits has never been popular with fans of the show. While the USA is the birthplace of the comic-book superhero, Misfits was by its very nature a fresh spin on the American tropes of the genre. A raucous, violent, profane, anarchic take on the simple premise of young offenders being given super-powers after a freak storm.

However, the likelihood of a US remake took a step forward today, according to Misfits' executive producer Murray Ferguson:

"There has been interest in America about making an American version. We so far haven't made any decisions on that. We're obviously interested but if we do do that we want to make sure that we retain all the essential, key ingredients of the show that make it successful over here while recognizing that if it's for an American audience it might have to be slightly different culturally."

"We are going to go and talk next month in LA to a couple of key people that we think would be good partners and who are very keen to do it with us. Hopefully it will work out. I'm optimistic -- we'll see. I think [MTV's remake of] Skins had very specific issues in America which relate to that show and not to ours. I think we just have to be aware of the cultural differences and make sure we can make a show that we're happy with."

Is it possible that America could make a good Misfits remake? Actually, I think it is. It just might depend where it's aired. If a cable network (HBO, Showtime, AMC, Starz) bought the remake rights, we could at least be somewhat assured it would keep its tone and raw sensibility. Although it would still be American at heart, and what's refreshing about Misfits is how un-American it is. You can't help thinking that even a 13-episode US cable version of Misfits would still have that indefinable weakness, rather like how Syfy's Being Human remake was perfectly enjoyable, but comparatively shallow and dull.

Sometimes it's the comparatively minuscule budget of UK shows that aides the writing and creates a show's uniqueness, because there's no way you can rely on special effects to cover any problems. It all has to come from the plots and the characters, there's no escaping that focus because of a production's limitations. I'm not saying American writers don't write with plot and character central in their mind, but they're also aware there's a budget available to do big action set-pieces, and many network's demand that kind of thing so it's easier to promote.

But does anyone disagree and think, quite understandably, that a US version could be brilliant because the characters would be given things the UK version doesn't bother with: like families to interact with, more visually-stimulating powers (flying?), or the ability to leave the immediate neighbourhood and venture into the big wide world? All are valid reasons why I could understand someone being excited about the possibilities of a US version.

What do you think? Is this still a bad idea, or are you warming to the prospect of an American Misfits?

P.S. The original E4 show is apparently going to be made available in the US for the first time, legally, via Hulu. Stay tuned to hear if that happens, and when the episodes will be available to watch Stateside. Update: Misfits is being released as a Hulu exclusive on 20 June.

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Interview: Robert Sheehan, 'Misfits'

Digital Spy have a great interview with Misfits' Robert Sheehan, ahead of his arrival at the BAFTA Television Awards tonight (22 May), where the E4 superhero series is nominated for Best Drama again.

The interview touches on everything fans would want to ask Sheehan, particularly concerning his decision to leave the popular show, his thoughts on incoming replacement Joe Gilgun, and some information about the online special he's filmed to explain his character's exit from Misfits ahead of series 3...

"[I decided to leave] well before we finished series two. There's a strange kind of a theme of... There's a few articles I've seen on the internet or whatever about how I've left Misfits to go off and do films and that's all so bulls**t, that's complete nonsense. I left Misfits to go off and do other stuff, completely unspecific. I just left because a rolling stone gathers no moss, as they say, and I just wanted to p*ss off and do other things, you know? It's nice that the show's successful but it doesn't mean complete blind and unadmonished loyalty -- 'If something is very successful you should stick to it like a barnacle!' That's definitely not my thinking." Continue reading...

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Joe Gilgun joins 'Misfits' as Rudy

It's been revealed that actor Joe Gilgun (This Is England '86) is joining E4's hit superhero drama Misfits as new character Rudy, brought in to replace Nathan in light of Robert Sheehan's decision to quit the BAFTA-winning show.

Gilgun will be a familiar face to many as Woody from the Shane Meadows film This Is England and its TV sequel This Is England '86. He also appeared alongside Michael Caine in Harry Brown, but is probably best-known for playing rascally Eli Dingle on ITV soap Emmerdale. The actor tends to play lovable rogues, so I wouldn't be surprised if Rudy is another example of that archetype.

Is Gilgun a worthy replacement for breakout star Robert Sheehan? Who knows. He's unlikely to get as many teenage hearts fluttering, but Gilgun should bring a more relaxed, fun energy to things. He's a good actor, if typecast as a working class scamp. He's also 4 years older than Sheehan, at 27, making him the oldest member of the cast -- but, to be fair, most of them are in their late-20s now.

What do you think? Are you happy to see someone like Gilgun in Misfits, provided he shakes things up? At least Gilgun will have an instant connection with co-star Lauren Socha, having appeared alongside her brother Michael Socha in This Is England '86.

Misfits is expected to return later this year on E4 with an extended eight-episode run, following an online special set in Las Vegas to explain Nathan's departure and Rudy's introduction.

Update: actress Lauren Socha has posted a behind-the-scenes photo of the new-look cast to her Twitter account, with Gilgun in the centre:

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Viva Las Vegas! Viva 'Misfits'!

Following the weekend's shock announcement that Robert Sheehan won't be part of Misfits' third series, some details on the "online film" has come to light. The webisode will apparently involve the gang going on a trip to Las Vegas, where the new character Rudy is introduced as Nathan's departure is explained.

Howard Overman:

It's great to be launching the third series of Misfits with an online film which introduces our new character Rudy, as well as saying goodbye to Nathan.

Robert Wulff-Cochrane, Channel 4's Drama Commissioning Editor:

We're all very excited about the return for a third series, as well as kicking off with a groundbreaking online film. Howard Overman has created some more brilliantly surprising and original storylines and fans can rest assured that series three will begin in a way no-one else could possibly imagine.

Hilary Perkins, Multi-platform Commissioning Editor:

This exclusive piece of online content is set to confound expectations. It will be essential viewing for any fan and a real event for E4.com"

The eight-part third series will return in late-2011, with Matt Stevens (Skins) joining the crew as a producer, and new directors in Alex Garcia and Wayne Yip (Secret Diary Of A Call Girl). Howard Overman will write five of the eight episodes.

The Vegas-set special will debut online, just prior to series 3's return. I'd be surprised if it doesn't air on E4, but nothing's been confirmed. Of course, fans already know that a trip to Las Vegas was foreshadowed in series 2 (in the photo taken of Alisha and Simon together, see above), so there's nice cohesion there. And it seems that Sheehan will actually appear in this special episode, so we'll get some on-screen closure, although I very much doubt they'll be filming overseas like Doctor Who have. Knowing Misfits, expect stock footage of the Vegas strip and some interior casino/hotel scenes.

Does any of this make you feel better about Sheehan's loss?

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Robert Sheehan leaves 'Misfits'

Hugely disappointing news has arrived from the Kapow convention, taking place in London this weekend. Robert Sheehan, who plays Nathan Young in E4's BAFTA-winning superhero drama Misfits, will not be returning for the third series. His position on the show will be taken by a new character called Rudy, and the replacement dealt with in a webseries just prior to Misfits' return.

This is definitely a worrying change for the show. It was obvious from the start that Sheehan had enormous charisma, so I've been worried the show would struggle to keep him around. Sheehan's already appeared in some movies (Season Of The Witch, Killing Bono) and has more projects in the pipeline, so I don't blame him wanting to chase the opportunities that are arising. But from the perspective of Misfits fans -- how key was Nathan's character to its success? He was undoubtedly a big part of the show and many people's favourite character, but can he be replaced? Might it be good for the show to change the cast like his?

And, frankly, don't fans deserve a televised episode as Nathan's swansong? I'd rather he go out in a blaze of glory, rather than have his absence explained in a silly webseries (that may not even feature Robert Sheehan himself.) Hopefully we'll get more details about how writer Howard Overman's going to deal with Sheehan's departure soon.

Update: @C4Insider are saying that Nathan's exit will be shown in an "exclusive online film" written by Howard Overman, which sounds slightly more promising.

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Howard Overman plans 'Misfits' changes

Spoilers for series 2 of Misfits ahead. You have been warned! The Christmas special of E4's teen superhero drama Misfits ended with a scene that appeared to promise new super-powers for the five young characters. In a recent interview with creator Howard Overman by SFX, this was confirmed...

Howard Overman:

"American shows like Lost are prepared to end their series' on huge, game-changing cliffhangers, which make the audience desperate for the new series. Too often on British TV we tie things up in a neat package, because quite often you don't know whether you're getting another series before you finish filming, but we were lucky that Channel Four had already commissioned the third series while I was writing the second."

On giving the characters brand new abilities:

"They're all going to have brand new powers. Nobody will have the same powers as in the second series. It's quite daunting because they've had their powers for two series, and you've got to come up with a whole new set of powers. We're very much constrained with the type of powers we can do because you have to think about what works in terms of the character and story, as well as what's achievable on our budget. We set up the idea that the powers are always linked to personality, so even now the characters' choices are influenced and reflect the characters' personalities, or else it just feels a bit arbitrary."

On the likelihood of the characters returning to community service:

That's the look of the show. They're on community service and their jumpsuits are their de facto superhero costumes, so I will be finding a way to get them back in the jumpsuits fairly quickly."

On series 3's basic structure:

"There's one slightly bigger storyline towards the end of series three. I think there are two big stories in all because we've got eight episodes this year. One is a sort of mid-season break. It won't become like other shows where they're saving the world, although in one episode they kind of do save the world."

Overman also confirmed that he won't be writing every single episode of series 3. Misfits hasn't been scheduled yet, but considering the previous two series have aired around October/November, that's a safe bet. Can anyone predict what the gang's new powers will be, considering they still have to be an extension of their personalities? It seems more than likely Simon will be given time-travel, if he's destined to become Superhoodie -- right?

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'MISFITS' 2.7 - Christmas Special

Last Thursday's finale disappointed me because it felt like Misfits was overreaching and straining credibility (as I fell in love with the show because of its down-to-earth take on superheroes), but this Christmas special was plainspoken fun that ended the year run on a definite high-note.

"I'm going to kill Jesus." –- Simon

Only Misfits could include that line in its festive special. Episode 7 picked up three months after the events at The Grand Hotel, with the gang having finished their community service and trying to make a living in the real world: Kelly's (Lauren Socha) become a street cleaner on the estate; Nathan (Robert Sheehan) is working as foulmouthed Santa Claus; Curtis is still dating Nikki (Ruth Negga) and working behind a bar with Alisha (Antonia Thomas); and Alisha's new boyfriend is Simon (Iwan Rheon), who's busy practicing his parkour skills so he can achieved his destiny as the Superhoodie.

The story mostly revolved around unassuming Elliot (Edward Hogg), a local clergyman growing frustrated with the poor turnout of his community centre sermons, who realized he could boost attendance and transform himself into a figure of respect by pretending to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To do this, Elliot visited a "power-broker" called Seth (Matthew McNulty) and spent the church donations on super-powers that allowed him to achieve various miracles, such as walking on water. Consequently, "Jesus" amassed a flock of devoted followers, but being so revered inflated Elliot's ego to a frightening extent and he started to abuse his gifts.

Nathan: "I piss and shit myself more times than I can remember."
Marnie: (love-struck) "Me too..."

Concurrently, the gang heard about Seth's ability to siphon people's powers and, for a variety of personal reasons, decided to undergo the process of removal: Alisha understandably wanted to lose her power, so she could touch people without turning them into sex pests; Nathan wanted the cash exchange so he could provide for his new girlfriend Marnie (Gwyneth Keyworth) and her unborn baby; Nikki wanted rid of her frustrating tendency to teleport across town during sex; while Curtis and Kelly agreed that their powers have ultimately been the bane of their lives, so willingly traded them for £20,000 each. However, as Simon warned by referring to the events of Superman II, they almost immediately regretted giving up their powers when it became clear the impostor "Jesus" was a threat to their community who needed to be stopped.

This episode worked well because it utilized two strong story ideas: the group deciding to have their powers drained away by Seth, and the repercussions of someone using super-powers to fake being the Messiah. The religious angle was particularly appreciated because it not only spoke to the Christmas theme of this episode, but it's also something most other TV superhero shows would never tackle -- particularly in the less secular US. While TV/film often uses superheroes as allegories for Jesus Christ, it was refreshing to have an episode where a character actually used his abilities to convince people he's of divine origin.

Nathan: "We may have done sod all with our powers, but we never abused them. We never raped or murdered anyone!"
Curtis: (looking to Alisha) "She raped me and we killed loads of people."
Nathan: "Okay... but we're the good guys!"

Seth's existence also delivered a feeling that super-powers are a kind of underground secret amongst the community of this London estate, allowing for people like Seth to do business with those in the know. The way powers were used as a commodity reminded me of the excellent Juan Carlos Fresnadillo movie Intacto, where "luck" was likewise a product people could trade.

If there were downsides, they were again symptoms of Misfit's brevity and how it therefore leaps ahead of itself, when you'd prefer more believable developments. Nathan became quickly attached to Marnie and accepting of her baby, although it's easier to accept this sudden infatuation given it's in Nathan's character to jump into situations with no thought. Less plausible was the way Nikki's surprise death was handled, after being shot dead by Seth's goon. She's been a significant new character of series 2, only to be accidentally killed and then barely referred to! Nathan's death in series 1's finale packed more of a punch, and this offhanded way to write-out Nikki made her presence this year look irrelevant. Beyond giving Curtis a new girl to chase, so Alisha dumping him for Simon would result in a more amicable split, it's hard to see what Nikki was even created for. Her ability to teleport never even proved useful.

Much better was the continuation of the Alisha/Simon relationship, particularly because Simon's become jealous of his future self and feels like he's competing with "another man" because he's comparatively terrible in bed. Again, it's slightly frustrating that these character became an intem during the unseen three months after episode 6, but the problem with UK shows and their short runs is writers are more likely to cut corners because they don't have time to develop plots at a more natural pace. It's a shame, but beyond E4 being given the cash to commission a 12-episode run we're going to have to put up with these odd leaps.

Overall, the Misfits Christmas special was a very good 70-minute special, and I'm pleased it arrived to take the sting out of the rather muddled finale. Perhaps the most exciting thing about this special was the final scene, with the gang returning to demand their powers back from Seth. Knowing they don't have to be given the powers they lost also facilitates a third series rejuvenation, as each character could be given a different ability. I'm not sure that's a wholly wise move (given that each character's power was a neat extension of their personality), but I'm hoping writer Howard Overman seizes this chance to fix some obvious storytelling problems. Alisha's power has always been a contentious curio, so I'm hoping she'll be given Nikki's teleportation; and Nathan being immortal is fine, but can the assumed rapid healing become more prominent with him? And will Simon be given Curtis's ability to time-travel, thus explaining how Future Simon manages to get back and rescue his friends in the past as Superhoodie?

A fine end to what's been a great second year, even if half its episodes were comparatively weak because that mid-series "trilogy" was extraordinarily good. What did you think?

Asides

• It was actually announced before series 2 even started airing, but now it's 100% official from Channel 4: Misfits will return for a third series next year. Did you even doubt it?
• Very funny scene with Elliot/Jesus "monologuing" as a supervillain in front of the gang, while receiving a blowjob from a follower wearing a Santa's hat.
• Is anyone going to try Nathan's oral sex tip involving a Fisherman's Friend cough sweet? I don't expect an answer, but I bet some are curious...
• Nathan had sex with a Thai ladyboy, and he didn't even have the excuse he was in Thailand and unaware of his lover's true identity! Does anyone else think Nathan's becoming rather distasteful and unpleasant now?
• You might recognize guest star Edward Hogg (Elliot/Jesus) from the movie The Bunny & The Bull.

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper
TRANSMISSION: 19 December 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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'MISFITS' 2.6

The finale was unfortunately a dud comparable to last week's episode, which means Misfits had a mid-series run of extraordinarily fantastic episodes, capped by two hours that failed to intensify and conclude the year's story. Simply put: the riveting Superhoodie storyline ended in episode 4, and Howard Overman didn't know what to do next. In retrospect, given the brevity of this show, it feels like a mistake not to have ensured the Superhoodie plot stretched across the whole six episodes. Instead, it dissolved into a sideline issue by episode 5, although there are signs it'll regain its prominence next year...

This week, the gang watched with jealousy as a round-faced tea boy called Brian became world famous after demonstrating "lactokinesis" (the power to manipulate dairy products with the power of his mind) to the world, after showbiz agent Laura discovered his talent. After overhearing the gang talking about their own powers, probation worker Shaun (Craig Parkinson) exposed the gang's secret to the world, resulting in the community centre being besieged by reporters and photographers, all desperate to interview "The ASBO Five". And while Simon (Iwan Rheon) warned against them whoring their abilities in exchange for fame and fortune, he was outvoted by his friends and the five delinquents became overnight sensations.

There were a lot of problems with this finale; some of its excusable because of budgetary limitations, others just examples of poor writing and unconvincing creative choices. Obviously Misfits can't accurately portray the realities of superheroes being discovered, but the illusion of that event was awkwardly achieved. The gang, together with many other "supers" Laura is representing, were ushered away to The Grand Hotel, which was both a retreat from screaming fans outside and the setting for murder. Nothing about this idea was handled very plausibly, as the show can't afford the narrative scope and large ensemble to pull this kind of storyline off convincingly.

The hotel simply became another insular playground, similar to the community centre. But the oddness of the barren community centre environment works well, as it’s a kind of parent-less limbo for the troublemakers to toil in, whereas nothing about the hotel rang true. It just made no sense that they'd all be gathered there to fraternize and, in Nathan's (Robert Sheehan) case, participate in a TV demonstration of his ability to survive death ("Nathan Young; Oops, There Goes My Brains!") I was hoping this gathering of supers would be revealed as important, perhaps with Laura intending to steal all their powers but needing everyone in one location, but she was actually far less sinister than she appeared to be, and had no great bearing on the story, other than to kick-start it.

The plot truly began when Brian (briefly the most famous person on the planet when his power was revealed), became resentful of the fact he's a comparative joke in the field of superheroes. Far from a unique wonder, he realized his power is actually the least impressive compared to other people's, and his bitterness turned to murder when he decided to take his frustration out on people by making them choke on dairy products they've eaten.

Having a murderous super-powered individual wandering around is fast-becoming Misfits' biggest cliché, which is a shame. There are so many other problems the characters could be encountering, which better reflect real teenager's problems. And the more times the show involves a killer, the more predictable the outcome becomes, especially because Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is the show's walking reset-button, able to reverse time and change any outcome. Which is exactly what happened here, as "Lactose Boy" killed Kelly (Lauren Socha) and Alisha (Antonia Thomas), then put Nathan into a vegetative state, leaving Simon and Curtis to save the day.

Great scene with Simon apparently taking a step towards his Superhoodie persona by symbolically whipping his hood up to avenge Alisha's death, quickly undermined by his swift death with a stab to the stomach. And who didn't see the supposed "twist" with Curtis coming a mile off, after he'd awkwardly sneaked in the fact he's lactose intolerant during a conversation with Nikki (Ruth Negga)? What was more frustrating is that you didn't need to have that foreknowledge, as Nathan simply telling Lactose Boy about his condition made its point without the laboured setup that only succeeded in spoiling things.

The finale just felt very ill-conceived and messy to me. You can blame the budget on a few things, but there was too many problems to lay at the door of Howard Overman himself -- such as the hasty solution to the problem being for Curtis to reverse time and talk his friends into visiting a pre-fame Lactose Boy and punching him in the face. How would that stop anything? It would make more sense to prevent him going outside during the freak storm that gave him his lactokinesis.

Overall, it's a shame Misfits staggered to its conclusion in this manner. Episodes 2, 3 and 4 were some of the best television I've seen this year, but they now feel like their own self-contained arc. Episode 5 and 6 had only a vague connection to that excellent three-episode run, and that was a bad move. In the finale's subplot, Simon discovered Alisha in his future self's lair, so we're definitely going to be continuing this storyline into the third series. But is that a wise move? I was rather hoping the finale would answer some questions about Future Simon, but we're clearly being asked to wait for series 3, and possibly beyond, before things are fully explained.

The thing is, I can't help thinking that the show has straitjacketed itself too much with this Superhoodie plot, as Simon's destiny doesn't seem to be avoidable, and it'll involve changing his character in a fundamental, irreversible way. Is it a good thing that we're headed towards Simon becoming a masked time-traveler, who'll go back in time and sacrifice himself to save Alisha? I hope there are still some twists to come, to avoid what currently feels like a traipse to a predetermined destination.

What did you make of this finale? Do you think I'm being too harsh? Do you agree that it failed, partly because it was so separate from the Superhoodie mytharc? Or was this another marvelous hour of anarchic silliness and ballsy attitude in your eyes?

It's also worth mentioning that the Misfits Christmas Special (essentially a seventh episode) airs this Sunday at 10pm on E4. Hopefully it'll help remove the bad taste of this episode with some festive pandemonium.

Asides

• Simon offhandedly revealed to Alisha that Jessica, the girl he lost his virginity to last week, is no longer seeing him. This felt like a huge missed opportunity, as it would have been fun to see Simon grow more confident thanks to Jessica, while making Alisha jealous. To have introduced Jessica last week, giving her such an important role in Simon's development, only to dismissively write her out, felt like a big waste of time.
• "The Invisible Cunt". Nathan's typically blunt suggestion for Simon's superhero name.
• It's becoming more of a problem just how casually people treat the existence of super-powers. I've suspended my disbelief a few times, but having Shaun eavesdrop on the gang discussing their powers and not even questioning things was a step too far. And why would he tell the media, knowing it would turn them into wealthy superstars? Oh, the plot demanded it.
• Does anyone else think Brian looks like a young Simon Pegg? Seriously, if Pegg ever needs someone to play himself as a teenager, give that actor a call.
• "I shagged a monkey." Kelly comes clean to Laura about any embarrassing things in her past she should know about. "Technically, it was a gorilla" corrected Nathan.
• Motormouth Nathan having been turned into a drooling vegetable was quite a haunting moment, reminding me of the similar fate suffered by Skins character Tony between series 1 and 2.
• Was it just me, or did Nathan's shtick overstep the mark this week? He's usually my favourite character, but some of his hijinks just felt rather distasteful -- pretending to "milk" Lactose Boy's nipples and embarrassing him in public, or trying to get Daisy the healer to touch his penis. Nathan's always done shocking things like that, but it fell flat this week. Maybe it's because it's usually more in jest, or he ultimately makes himself look foolish, whereas here he was just totally tactless.

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Owen Harris
TRANSMISSION: 16 December 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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'MISFITS' 2.5

After a run of sterling episodes, Misfits slipped back into neutral for this entertaining but slightly dubious hour. A murder-mystery at heart, the episode was still enjoyable, but it was more detached from the mytharc than recent episodes have been, and a few promising new directions didn't live up to expectations.

"Some bastard killed me last night." -- Nathan

This week, Nathan (Robert Sheehan) was brutally murdered in the toilets of the community centre, minutes after gawping at half-naked charity worker Jessica (Zawe Ashton) as he passed the women's changing room. Fortunately, Nathan's immortality prevented his demise being permanent, meaning he was able to investigate his own murder the next day, with Jessica his prime suspect. Elsewhere, Alisha (Antonia Thomas), privately mourning the death of Future Simon, made an attempt to get closer to the present-day Simon (Iwan Rheon) and help him fulfill his destiny. Unfortunately, Simon's attention was more focused on Jessica, who appears to have feelings for him. Or does she actually intend to make Simon her next victim, as Nathan suspects? Meanwhile, Kelly (Lauren Socha) helped a squatter called Bruno (Richard Riddell) evade the police, and was stunned and secretly delighted when he asked her out on a date. But is Bruno everything he appears to be?

This was a freewheeling and strange episode, mixing good character moments with ridiculous pay-offs, with a murderer once again the core dilemma. It's definitely straining credibility that there have been so many deaths in and around the community centre, but the police seem more interested in catching squatters. Hopefully Misfits will find different ways to fuel stories, as the show's chutzpah is managing to mask some of its problems, but it's a temporary fix. There will come a time when the sheer number of dead bodies and missing people with a connection to the centre will become too much for the show to ignore.

Still, this episode's murder-mystery worked quite well, even given the limited amount of suspects. It helped that you generally expect a freak-of-the-week in every episode, and your finger of suspicion was wavering between Jessica and Bruno throughout. The fact the killer was revealed to be Jessica's domineering dad, who didn't appear to have any super-powers, worked quite well. If you swallow the fact Jessica apparently knows her dad butchers boys who takes an interest in her, but is content to keep trying to date people. Jessica may not have been the killer, but she was surely an accessory. I suppose you just have to suspend your disbelief, as the story's intention (like many Misfits episodes) it to exaggerated problems faced by modern youth, like an overprotective parent.

"You meet a guy you really like and he's a fucking monkey." -- Kelly

Kelly's storyline was less prominent, but in some ways more touching and unpredictable. I especially liked the moments when she'd eavesdrop on Bruno's nervous thoughts about asking her out, or deciding when to kiss her, and carefully guide him into making the right choices. Kelly doesn't often get the best storylines, so it was good to see her getting something heartfelt to play. The uncertainties surrounding Bruno also worked well, as his affection for Kelly moved into mutual passion, before he appeared to soil their budding relationship by getting too rough and hurting her.

It was sweet, intriguing, puzzling... and then, frankly, bizarre. Undoubtedly this episode's most discordant moment was Bruno's big reveal, shortly after he carried Kelly up the side of a building while wearing a gorilla suit (an amusing tweak to King Kong's famous climax). Arriving on the rooftop and later shot by police (they REALLY don't like squatters, do they?), Kelly removed the dying Bruno's gorilla mask to reveal... um, a real gorilla. Yes, Bruno was apparently an ape who has been transformed into a human by the freak storm. The clues were there (kind of): he ate fruit and he was primal during sex. Maybe if he'd lasted longer, we'd have seen him swinging on a tyre suspended from a rope.

I'm guessing most people burst out laughing at Bruno's reveal; partly because the ape makeup wasn't much better than the cheap gorilla mask hiding it, but also because they unwisely added an incongruous voice-over of human-Bruno "speaking" to Kelly in his thoughts as he died. It struck me as the kind of wacky moment that may have worked on the page, but on-screen it didn't click. It was too goofy. Even if they'd had movie quality makeup for Bruno's ape-face, the idea that a gorilla being transformed into a human counts as a "super-power" felt like too much of a stretch. And there could have been better clues about Bruno's true nature along the way; like seeing a news report about a zoo's missing gorilla, or something. The way it played out, it felt like too much of a unsupported leap for the audience to take.

On the positive side: this episode featured neat callbacks to previous episodes. First, having seen Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) jump forward in time to see himself dressed as a superhero, it turned out Nathan was actually attending a fancy dress party organized by Jessica's charity, where the whole gang deciding to pull on spandex and eye-masks. I'm sure there will be some disappointment that Curtis didn't see a future where he's a superhero in the Kick-Ass mould, but it was an amusing and plausible explanation nonetheless.

And as Curtis got physical with Nikki (Ruth Negga) on the rooftop, Simon later popped his cherry with the virginal Jessica, proving that Future Simon's statement to Alisha that she won't be the one to take his virginity. Consequently, that appears to prove that Future Simon really was from the future, and not a shape-shifter (as some have theorized).

Overall, episode 5 was a disappointment considering the brilliance of the previous three hours, but it was still easy to engage with and contained some great moments. Like most episodes, things got steadily better as it buzzed along, although Bruno's literal unmasking put too much of a dampener on Kelly's storyline. Still, even when it's trying to make an all-out bad idea work, Misfits is self-aware enough to have the characters comment on the craziness themselves.

Asides

• Does anyone else think the Kelly/Bruno sex scene owed a debt to the Jeff Goldblum/Emma Thompson sex scene in The Tally Guy? They just needed a piano.
• Maybe it's been mentioned before, but I don't remember the community centre being identified as "Welford Community Centre" before. It's handy to know the name of the area they're living in!
• I loved the special-effect added to the face of Jessica's dad, where his outrage appeared to make his jowls tremble like he's being blown by a fierce wind.
• If Simon and Alisha are destined to be together, what happens to sweet Jessica? Are her days numbered? How far into the future did Future Simon come from? Months? Years? Do Simon and Jessica split up soon, or is Alisha going to realize she'll have to wait a long time before her and Simon get together?

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Owen Harris
TRANSMISSION: 9 December 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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Poll Result: Is 'Misfits' the greatest TV superhero show ever?

Last week I asked you all a simple question: is Misfits the greatest (live action) TV superhero show ever? We had 160 votes, with the result below:

66% Yes, definitely!

23% It's too early to say

10% No, absolutely not!

The result wasn't terribly surprising, but there's definitely a lot of love for Misfits out there. Catch the fifth episode on E4 tonight @10pm!

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Poll: Is 'Misfits' the greatest TV superhero show ever?

E4's Misfits is turning in a superlative second series right now. Its greatness is evident and deservedly being celebrated by UK critics. The show won a BAFTA for "Best Drama" this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if it made it a double next year. Unfortunately, Misfits doesn't have the overseas reach of other British "geek-friendly" shows (Doctor Who, Merlin, Primeval, Sherlock), so it's still something of a native phenomenon, because it has no connection to BBC Worldwide. And that's a shame, as I'd love to see it appreciated in other countries. The few Americans I've managed to steer its way have been blown away.

So, is Misfits the greatest (live-action) TV superhero show ever made? Better than The Incredible Hulk, The Greatest American Hero, Smallville, Lois & Clark, Heroes, The Middleman, No Ordinary Family, et al? I'm not counting cartoons.

Vote in my poll below:

The poll closes on Wednesday 8 December 2010 @5pm (GMT). I'll post the result short after. Feel free to share this poll on Facebook/Twitter, etc. Thank you.

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'MISFITS' 2.4

Misfits certainly keeps you on your toes. One of the best things about this show is how unpredictable it is, as the normal rules of genre television don't seem to apply. Maybe it's because I digest so much US television, which is generally more risk averse, with business/advertising pressures shaping how plots and ideas unfold. In the UK, there's more creative freedom and less pressure, and that makes every episode a dangerous hour where you're never quite sure how it'll come together.

"You think this is a game? This is my life."

This week, the ASBO gang received a new member in flip-flop-wearing hippie Ollie, a young offender who vandalized a fire station over their carbon emission, who also has a super-power: teleportation. However, just when you thought the story would have Ollie as its focus, he was shocking killed by a bullet through the brain by Tim (Matt Cross), a deranged man cruising the streets in a red sports car, under the delusion he's living inside a violent video-game. Indeed, Tim even hallucinates his surrounds as a computer-generated world full of CGI characters he must kill or kidnap in order to get £100,000 from a kingpin known as "Conti", who he believes is Simon (Iwan Rheon).

As the gang contend with a madman driving around the estate, acting out a Grand Theft Auto fantasy, dead Ollie's heart was removed at the hospital and transplanted into Nikki's (Ruth Negga) chest, along with his burgeoning super-power. Elsewhere, Alisha (Antonia Thomas) fell deeper in love with Superhoodie (a.k.a "Future Simon"), promising to let him continue his curious work unhindered. She was even given the keys to his hideout as their trust in each other grew stronger.

Episode 4 was a simple enough story, lacking an emotional component. Even the violent death of Ollie was brushed off within moments, as Misfits exists in this bizarre, empty world where the police never seem to come calling. It actually gives everything the feeling of purgatory, which I guess it is for these kids doing community service to atone for their crimes. The notion of a disturbed man stalking the streets, believing he's inside a video-game, is an exaggerated fear of what these games will do to young minds, but visually interesting and disturbing enough to make its points. I thought the design work of the "world" Tim sees was an accurate portrayal of those games, and mixed dark humour (the granny hit-n'-run Death Race homage) with genuinely scary sequences (Ollie's senseless murder). Tim was basically played as a Terminator-esque "unstoppable" villain (the kind of person who never bothers to run when a scary walk will suffice), but it was rather marvelous to see him chase the gang around for an hour.

There wasn't too much going on in the subplots, but I loved the surprise that Nikki has actually inherited a super-power from her heart donor Ollie. The only disappointment is that her storyline merged brilliantly with the A-story, as she was somehow compelled to teleport to the gang's location in the climax, to rescue them from being chainsawed in half by Tim, only to be swiftly captured herself. Sometimes the price you pay for an unpredictable development is a satisfying arc. Likewise, once Alisha had escaped from captivity and led Tim away from her friends, the moment when Future Simon sacrificed his life by intercepting a bullet aimed for her was another big surprise... but also one that I couldn't help feel a little disappointed by. I think more time should have been spent on Alisha/Future Simon, so that his death carried more weight.

Also, with shows like this, and despite the fact Alisha burned Future Simon's body, I'm never convinced death is absolute, so it was hard to really feel much emotion in Simon's death. I suspect the timeline will play out different next time, or something like that. But does this mean there will be no Superhoodie for awhile now? How quickly is regular Simon expected to transform into his future self? It feels like this should be a progression to take us into series 3, but knowing Misfits we might arrive at that point by episode 7. Would that be too fast? Too rushed and, consequently, too unbelievable Simon can go from shy wallflower to muscled superman in three episodes?

Episode 4 also delivered the inevitable split of Alisha and Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), with the characters moving on in very different directions: Curtis was free to approach Nikki without feeling guilty, but poor Alisha had to deal with the death of the lover she's been seeing behind his back, and will have to mourn in secrecy. Alisha's only positive is knowing that good times lie ahead with Simon, after noticing a photo of them together in Las Vegas on a wall in Future Simon's lair.

Overall, Misfits continues to be a brilliantly crafted and entertaining series, even if this episode lacked the emotional core of the preceding hours. There was still plenty of surprises, shocks and a gripping climax. As I mentioned at the start of this review, it's the sense that anything can happen that really sells it, as it's almost impossible to correctly guess how any given episode is going to pan out. Misfits doesn't follow the standard formulas other shows stick to, particularly American ones, and it's therefore a genuine thrill to sit down and watch each story unfold over an hour.

Asides

• I was pleased this episode confirmed that Nathan can see ghosts permanently (he spotted Ollie wandering around after his death), and that his ability wasn't a temporary after-effect of drug-taking in episode 2, as many people assumed.
• Bang goes the theory that Future Simon is a shape-shifter pretending to be Simon – right?
• Is this the first time we've actually seen Simon turn invisible, on camera? The scene where he stole a case of money from a security van also confirmed that objects he touches turn invisible, too. Or could the show just not afford to have a "levitating" cash-box, a la Return To Witch Mountain?
• What's Alisha going to do now regarding Simon? Is it her destiny to turn him into Future Simon, not just emotionally and sexually, but also as the mastermind of everything Future Simon was trying to achieve?
• If Future Simon's really dead, what exactly was his masterplan? Was it simply that he has to prevent paradoxes by ensuring he was present to steer the gang's lives in certain directions? If so, isn't that a little boring? There must be something more to this story, right? We're only halfway through the series.
• Funniest scene? Nathan trying to escape from Tim by swinging his body like a pendulum, getting very excited by very little progress.
• Do you think other characters will see their powers developed, as Nathan's has done? Might Kelly soon start talking to people telepathically? How about Alisha being able to manipulate people's emotions? It struck me in this episode that the only characters with immediately effective, useful, and reliable powers are Nathan and Simon.
• Why not play this Misfits video-game based on episode 4's events!

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Owen Harris
TRANSMISSION: 2 December 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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'MISFITS' 2.3

Love is in the air for episode 3, which continued the quality of last week's sensation, despite a few shaky moments. The big surprise was seeing the mystery of the Superhoodie answered so early, until you realize we're almost halfway through series 2. The advantage of British TV having such short runs is that storylines develop so rapidly it's impossible to get bored; the disadvantage is that you lose the slow-burn that raises anticipation to fever pitch. Could we have done with a few more weeks of teasing? Whatever your opinion, the Superhoodie's reveal definitely spun Misfits in a less predictable trajectory...

This week, Kelly (Lauren Socha) was accompanied by Nathan (Robert Sheehan) and Simon (Iwan Rheon) to a tattoo parlour to get her faded "tramp stamp" touched up, only for bigmouth Nathan to insult her tattooist Vince (Nathan Constance) by questioning his sexuality. Vince exacted revenge by turning Nathan gay and hopelessly besotted with Simon, using a super-power he's acquired that enable his tattoos to influence the people who wear them. This was the week's comic relief storyline, with randy Nathan becoming obsessed with the bewildered Simon (who was unsure how to take renowned joker Nathan's advances), with Vince as the episode's freak-of-the-week villain to defeat. It was an unusual super-power, which gave the story a certain freshness and creativity. Vince was like a twisted version of Cupid, shooting his tattoo-arrows into people to alter their behaviour, while his comeuppance was absurdly amusing, with Simon realizing Vince's "kryptonite" was a nut allergy ("remove the tattoos or I open the nuts!")

Meanwhile, Alisha (Antonia Thomas) was determined to unmask the Superhoodie and, after noticing he appears whenever the gang's in trouble, she intentionally provoked a fight with a passer-by to lure the Superhoodie out into the open. Her plan worked, but she took tumble and banged her head, waking up inside the Superhoodie's lair to realize the masked man is none other than... Simon!? But this wasn't the shy and withdrawn Simon she knows from community service; rather a "Future Simon" full of confidence, smouldering intensity, and ashen muscles. It wasn't long before they had passionate sex together, partly because her incommodious super-power (that the libido of those who touch her goes into overdrive) doesn't appear to work on Future Simon, so it was a relief to have physical contact of someone in control of their actions.

The Simon/Alisha storyline was the core of episode 3 and its most appealing element. I love how Misfits steals from previous superhero stories, but makes them work in its own universe, with enough twists to keep it feeling fresh. Alisha waking up in Future Simon's hideout was reminiscent of Vicky Vale being taken to the Batcave in Tim Burton's Batman; the lair itself resembled the temporary Batcave from The Dark Knight; Future Simon revealing his identity to Alisha reminded me of Superman II (when Lois Lane discovered shy Clark Kent's secret and was taken to his Fortress Of Solitude); and Future Simon's intention to protect the timeline and ensure certain key events happen echoed a situation in season 1 of Heroes with time-traveller Hiro and his future counterpart.

Some people might consider it a letdown that Simon was revealed as the Superhoodie, but it worked well for me. I assumed the 'hoodie would be a regular character from the start, and the only reason I doubted myself was that it felt too obvious. But despite some predictability, it was never a foregone conclusion and Future Simon's reveal in the shower was still an edge-of-your-seat moment leading into an ad break. Iwan Rheon also did well playing two different characters, and I thought it was a wise decision not to make Future Simon the vastly different to the Simon we know. While he was noticeably more self-assured and charming, he was still reserved and sensitive.

In a minor subplot laying groundwork for a future story, Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) apologized to Nikki (Ruth Negga), the girl whose flat his friends vandalized because they thought she was the Superhoodie. She's evidently not be the parkour-loving superhero, but she is the girl Nathan saw in his own future (as a costumed superhero), and someone he believes he'll become close to over time. Interestingly, we learned that Nikki has a heart condition that makes her dependent on an oxygen tank, and she's waiting for a transplant with a suitable donor. It looks like Curtis and Nikki are going to become closer over this series, but it's uncertain if she'll be the one inspiring him to become a fully-fledged superhero, and how her heart problem will factor into this storyline.

Overall, this was another very strong outing for E4's superhero comedy-drama, skillfully taking the story to a whole new level. The great thing is that everything comes from a place of character, and Misfits allows the actors to perform in a way you don't often see in this genre. When you compare this show to how the younger characters in Heroes were treated, it makes that show look rather laughable and naïve. I'm slightly concerned about how series 2 is going to develop, as it's now embracing a bigger scope that feels like a risk. The show has largely succeeded because its concerns are small-scale and relatable, but Future Simon represents a more epic mythos. That said, I suspect the hints of a game-changing future for the gang will be undone, as timeline are always in flux, and I doubt writer Howard Overman is in any rush to have Simon become this tranquil porcelain-skinned hero. Is a big reset button waiting to be pressed?

Asides

• Future Simon informed us that the present-day Simon loses his virginity soon, but not to Alisha. Who's going to be the lucky girl?
• Where exactly is the Superhoodie's lair? How did Future Simon come to be in the past? Does Curtis develop the ability to send other people back in time? And why is he immune to Alisha's power now?
• A prediction: Future Simon isn't our Simon. While we believe the reveal of the Superhoodie has been done early, the big disclosure will be discovering the Superhoodie's a villainous shape-shifter?
• In one scene, Simon told Alisha that it's inevitable that one day their secret will be exposed and then everything will change. Alisha herself saw a news report in Future Simon's lair that had her being interviewed as one of the "ASBO 5", hinting that they become famous. My nitpick is that the misfits aren't unique, as most weeks there's a new super-person in the mix, but the characters continue to act like they're the only ones affected by that freak storm.
• I think I mentioned this last year, but I hate the lack of episode titles. It just feels so clumsy referring to "episode 3". Would it hurt to give us titles, Mr Overman? I like titles.
• I loved how Future Simon and Alisha's moment of passion was a scorching hot sex scene, in contrast to self-appointed ladies man Nathan's attempt to shag Kelly – which was an embarrassing fumble that ended on a "finger-puppet" joke to break the awkward mood.
• Was it me, or did the musical score take on a Dark Knight vibe this week?

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Tom Green
TRANSMISSION: 25 November 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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'MISFITS' 2.2

I was dissatisfied by Misfits' premiere last week, mainly because the meat of its story felt like a reheated, underdeveloped leftover from last year. Hopefully, those confused by my reaction will better understand what I felt was missing now, in comparing episode 1 to this week's more emotional, inventive improvement.

It goes without saying that Nathan's (Robert Sheehan) the show's not-so-secret weapon; a sublimely irritating, wisecracking, egotistical, charming, and riveting creation, superbly played by the young Irish actor. He's simply captivating to watch and episode 2 benefitted from giving him the focus, as he dealt with the arrival of a half-brother he didn't even know existed. Sibling Jamie (Sam Keeley) arrived in fine style, driving a car containing their father Mike (Dexter Fletcher), whom he'd bundled into the boot after braining him with an iron during an argument. When Jamie's car was later stolen by joyriders, Nathan had to help his brother find the vehicle and rescue their dad from jeopardy.

There were almost two episodes to savour this week, once Mike had been rescued by his sons, as Jamie accompany Nathan and his friends to an all-night party. Here we discovered that drugs have a unique effect on the super-teens, as each realized their powers had been flipped: mind reader Kelly (Lauren Socha) couldn't resist blurting out whatever's on her mind; invisible Simon (Iwan Rheon) became conspicuous in crowds, gaining the attention of girls in particular; Alisha (Antonia Thomas) realized that touching people caused them to become exceptionally mean to her; Nathan assumedly became mortal; and Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) jumped forward in time, finding himself wearing a superhero costume on the edge of a rooftop (very Kick-Ass, no?), in the company of an attractive girl he doesn't recognize.

In many ways this was a near-perfect episode, as it pushed every button Misfits has as its disposal: dysfunctional family drama, teenage love (Nathan pulled a barmaid who can turn water to ice), fractious friendships, superhero quirkiness, gang culture, hedonism, and mystery -- as the "Super Hoodie" subplot was nudged along, with Alisha capturing his parkour skills on camera, before Simon followed the masked stranger back to where he lives on the estate.

The great thing about Misfits is that nothing relies on the super-powers, premise, or visuals (director Tom Green again delivering a cool indie movie experience as an hour-long drama), but instead everything that holds your attention has its basis in character. There's never a moment when you're anxious to get back to something more overtly fantastical, as it's such a pleasure just watching these actors mingle and bounce off the guest stars. The return of Mike came with material that wasn't particularly original (deadbeat dad has a love-child), but the actors teased everything they could from it. Considering the fact Jamie was only around for an hour, Keeley did a great job in developing a character you could believe was the quieter brother of Nathan, who didn't get eclipsed by Sheehan's bravado. They made a good double-act ("we're like the Mitchell brothers; only we're not bald, ugly and shit!") and it's almost a pity Jamie didn't stick around for awhile.

With much to chew on regarding the Mike/Jamie/Nathan family drama, dovetailing into the intrigue of the reversed-powers at the party, episode 2 sealed its greatness with unexpected tragedies. The moment when the frosty barmaid (powers inverted) died of spontaneous human combustion, while in the throes of (literally) hot passion with Jamie in a parked car, was certainly a shock, and then the story added a Sixth Sense-style twist with Nathan realizing his surviving brother actually died in the explosion with her. An offshoot of Nathan's immortality is the ability to see ghosts, it seems.

Considering that's an old twist in fantasy fiction, popularized and recycled many times over the past decade especially, I was surprised it worked on me. I was actually thinking that burnt-out car would somehow get sent back in time by Curtis, to become the vehicle Jamie and Nathan searched while looking for their dad earlier in the episode, but I was way off.

Overall, a great episode that was a particular triumph in terms of knitting emotion, character and superhero hijinks. If Misfits can keep up this standard for the majority of the remaining five episodes, series 2 is going to be very special indeed. It was a particularly good moment to end on, with Curtis answering the door to the girl he saw in his own future. Who is she? Will she convince him to dress as a superhero? Is she to be trusted? Is she the Hoodie?

I take it everyone else thought episode 2 was marvelous, with only a few minor caveats?

Asides

• Dexter Fletcher is the perfect choice to play Nathan's dad, it needs repeating. If this was 1991, Fletcher would be playing Nathan, I have no doubt. Although he'd be either cockney or American, not Irish.
• Nathan still thinks Simon's name is Barry. I don't think he's even joking now. Funny thing is, I'm beginning to think of him as Barry now, too.
• It's a popular conceit with the superhero genre, but I do like how every person's power reflected their personality in some way. The barmaid with intimacy issues being literally frigid was a good example.
• Is this the best-looking drama on TV? It's certainly the most visually creative, and the budget's used very well. That F/X shot of the pint glasses developing frosted spikes was slicker than equivalent shots in, say, Heroes. I get the impression the budget's been increased this year (car stunts, more scenes away from the council estate), and while it'll never reach the millions-per-episode standard of US network dramas, for my money it's far more interesting to look at. In fact, it kind of makes you realize how generic US drama is on the big networks, in terms of tone and style.
• I'm not so sure the Hoodie is one of the misfits now, as it's perhaps too obvious to go down that route. But you don't unmask a mystery and reveal a stranger, do you. That's not interesting. So it must be a character we know, or will come to know before the reveal is done. Any predictions?

WRITER: Howard Overman
DIRECTOR: Tom Green
TRANSMISSION: 18 November 2010, E4/HD, 10PM

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Karen Gillan & Robert Sheehan are star-crossed lovers

Actress Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) has signed to star in Romeo And Brittney, the follow-up movie from comedian David Baddiel (The Infidel). The current Doctor Who companion will play Brittney, a high school student from New Jersey who finds herself in the 13th-century, stuck in the plot of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet as the female lead.

Gillian Anderson (The X Files) will be playing both Gillan's mother and a nurse in 13th-century Verona, while Robert Sheehan (Misfits) has been cast as a nerdy student and Romeo.

The $7 million movie, summarized as "Shakespeare In Love meets Clueless", starts shooting next May.

Arvind Ethan, producer:

"[David Baddiel and I] love literate teen comedies and we wanted to do our own version. After all, 10 Things I Hate About You was based on The Taming Of The Shrew just as Clueless was based on Jane Austen's Emma and Easy A is inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. And what is Twilight if it's not Romeo & Juliet with vampires and werewolves?"

This is certainly exciting news, particularly if you love Karen Gillan and Robert Sheehan -- who's particularly charismatic as Nathan in Misfits. The premise doesn't sound like a simple case of time-travel (as a few actors are playing dual roles), more like a reality-bending fantasy similar to Lost In Austen (the ITV miniseries where a modern woman was transported into the novel Pride & Prejudice). Agree?

My only reservation is the involvement of David Baddiel; a decent comedian back in the early-'90s and a talented writer, but his recent movie The Infidel was toothless and a tedious disappointment, with limp direction. Will he fare better with a more imaginative concept and a bigger budget?

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TV Ratings: 'Misfits', series 2

The series 2 premiere of Misfits drew 1 million viewers on Thursday night for E4, including the 163,000 people who watched E4+1 at 11pm. This figure more than doubles the 447,000 who tuned into series 1's premiere last year, no doubt because of subsequent buzz, DVD sales, and surprise BAFTA win for Best Drama.

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'MISFITS' 2.1

Head over to Obsessed With Film, where I've reviewed the series 2 premiere of E4's teen superhero drama MISFITS, brought to you by the makers of Cornetto ice creams:

Nobody could have predicted the spectacular success of E4's teen-superhero series Misfits last year. When news of a British alternative to Heroes leaked in the summer of 2009, most people braced themselves for a tedious, low-budget mess -- based solely on the concept of delinquent teenagers being given super-powers. Instead, Misfits immediately proved itself a witty, profane, imaginative and thematically compelling series, using its British perspective to craft something rawer than the US mainstream would allow. In many ways, it became the Trainspotting of superhero drama on TV; winning big ratings, critical respect, and a BAFTA for Best Drama. Continue reading...

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'Misfits': Series 2 Premiere Clip

You don't need me to remind you Misfits returns this Thursday, do you? E4, 10pm. To get you in the spirit, embedded above is a sneak peak from the premiere, where the jumpsuited gang meet their new probation worker.

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'Misfits': US remake and movie?

I was invited to the press premiere of Misfits at the British Film Institute in London, but couldn't attend. Curses. However, during last night's event, creator Howard Overman fielded a few questions, and touched on the possibility of a US remake and movie...

Howard Overman:

"There's been a lot of interest in it and talk about maybe doing an American version. But you just have to make sure it's done in the right way. The idea was always to do a very British take on the superhero genre... and would that translate back to America? I don't know."

On the chances of a Misfits movie:

"We've had some offers, but we decided that we've told that story already. Can we make it any better? I doubt it. I just don't see the point of a rehashed version with a bigger [budget]."

I'm guessing, based on response to the American remakes of Being Human and Skins, that most readers are breathing a sigh of relief?

Misfits returns next Thursday 11 November @10pm on E4/HD. I'll be reviewing episodes again, but my review of series 2's premiere may be slightly delayed because I'm out next Thursday. We'll see.

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'Misfits': Series 2 Premiere Trail

Misfits returns on 11 November, and E4 have released a trail for the first episode, which should give you a feel for the show's direction. It looks like the gang's super-secret risks being exposed, and they have a new probation officer called Shaun, played by actor Craig Parkinson (recently seen as the Kray twins in Whitechapel).

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