Being Human (2009)

What happens when a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost decide to move in together and pretend to be normal? That deceptively simple question drives Being Human, the British supernatural drama that ran on BBC Three from 2009 to 2013. Over five seasons and 36 episodes, the show turned a high-concept premise into one of the more thoughtful genre series of its era.

What Being Human Is About

The series centers on three young supernatural beings who want nothing more than ordinary lives. Mitchell, a vampire, and George, a werewolf who endures a painful transformation with every full moon, work at a hospital in the UK and decide to share a flat. When they move in, they discover the house already has a resident: Annie, the ghost of a former tenant who died in mysterious circumstances.

Despite their monstrous natures, the three flatmates cling to mundane pleasures — evenings on the sofa, beers in hand, television in front of them. The tension between what they are and what they wish to be is the engine of the whole show, summed up in its tagline: 'Flatmates by day - undead by night.'

Season Structure and Episode Format

Being Human ran for five seasons between 2009 and 2013, producing a total of 36 episodes. Episodes run roughly an hour each, giving the series room to blend standalone supernatural stories with long-running character arcs.

The show evolved considerably across its run. Early seasons focus on the original trio and their attempts to stay under the radar, while later seasons introduce a new generation of characters and shift the dynamics of the household. Key figures from earlier chapters recur or are succeeded by others, keeping the premise fresh without abandoning its core idea.

The Cast and Their Characters

The original central trio consists of Aidan Turner as John Mitchell, the charming but conflicted vampire; Russell Tovey as George Sands, the anxious werewolf; and Lenora Crichlow as Annie Sawyer, the ghost whose presence anchors the house. Sinéad Keenan later joins as Nina Pickering, becoming deeply involved with George.

As the series progresses, new faces take over the household. Michael Socha plays Tom McNair, a young werewolf, while Damien Molony arrives as Hal Yorke, a vampire with a long and complicated past. Kate Bracken completes the later lineup as Alex Millar.

The supporting cast adds texture and menace: Dean Lennox Kelly plays Tully, Amy Manson plays Daisy, and Steven Robertson appears as Dominic Rook, a figure connected to the wider supernatural world.

Creator and Production

Being Human was created by Toby Whithouse, who also served as executive producer, and was produced with Julie Gardner as producer. The series came out of a collaboration between BBC Studios, Touchpaper Television and BBC America.

Whithouse, a writer with a strong background in British television, gave the show its distinctive voice: dry humor, domestic realism and genuine dread all sharing the same space. Filming locations include Wales, which stands in for the show's British setting and lends the series its slightly rain-soaked, lived-in atmosphere.

Network and Broadcast History

The series premiered on BBC Three on January 25, 2009, and ran until its finale on March 10, 2013. It is now listed as Ended, with its story fully told across five seasons.

BBC Three, the BBC's youth-oriented channel, was a natural home for a show about twenty-somethings grappling with identity, and Being Human became one of the channel's signature dramas during its run.

Themes, Tone and Style

At its heart, Being Human is about the struggle to hold onto your humanity when your nature pushes against it. Vampires fight the pull of blood, werewolves lose control of their bodies, and ghosts are literally stuck between worlds. The show uses these monsters as metaphors for addiction, grief, isolation and the fear of what you might become.

Tonally, the series balances comedy and horror. Mundane domestic scenes — chores, arguments about rent, awkward dates — sit alongside genuinely unsettling supernatural confrontations. That blend of the everyday and the eerie is the show's signature style, and it's what separated Being Human from glossier genre fare of the same period.

Who Will Enjoy It

Viewers who like character-driven fantasy rather than pure action will find a lot to like here. Fans of British television drama, urban fantasy, and stories about found family and self-control are the natural audience. Because the show spans five seasons with a changing cast, it rewards viewers who enjoy watching a premise evolve over time.

It also appeals to those who appreciate genre fiction with emotional weight — the horror elements are real, but the relationships are the point.

Where to Watch Being Human in the US

US viewers have plenty of options. The series is available on subscription services including Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus, AMC+, Philo, BritBox (via Amazon Channel), Acorn TV, Fandor, Spectrum On Demand, Cineverse and Midnight Pulp.

For viewers who prefer ad-supported options, it can be streamed for free with ads on Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV and Cineverse, among others. Episodes can also be purchased digitally through Google Play Movies and Amazon Video, and the series has been available free on The CW.