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I am one of those who has not seen the pilot. Is it not possible to make it available on iPlayer? I am sure it would anwer some of my questions like - how did George & Mitchell meet?

iam in need of help for 15 years i have not had anything good or nice to say about any program on TV.

Now after all this time i find that i can only say good thing about this Fantastic program its like a drug i just cant get enough.

i have to watch it every day or i will go mad.
What the hell is wrong with me.

Am i becoming a fan?

HELP!!!

Yes, Mr Whithouse, please make this a regular thing; it is interesting to hear your direct comments and explanations. (P.S. Well done!)

treborawrgb, I am similarly concerned with my unhealthy obsession with, and need of a fix from, this programme!

why doesn't George smash out through the windows when he's transformed in the house? Uh, right. Well, he tells Mitchell to pull the curtains so that the wolf won't be able to see the windows and...oh shut up...

Haha! I noticed that, but didn't like to say anything.

I noticed nods to the fans were in the first episode, such as the tea joke. And the estate agent.

Thanks for giving this insight into your thought processes. It's all really interesting.

I've been wondering a bit about something Tully said; he mentioned that werewolves can't cross water. I'm not exactly savvy with supernatural lore, but I thought it was Vampires that had that problem? Do werewolves have a similar set of laws like the vampires do?

(Or am I reading too much into it, and they're just crap swimmers?)

Argh! When watching a show I love, I'm always wondering about the thoughts/processes behind it but when the chance actually arises to ask a writer what they were thinking... blankety blank.

So, my question, how did you decide on which mythology to use and which to discard? Or didn't you? And do you consciously try to avoid cliches? Obviously some characteristics (like blood-sucking) have to be there but how do you add your own 'twist' to the supernatural? Do you even give in that much in-depth thought? (Please say you do because otherwise I'll feel silly for that.)

Anyway, if you do answer, thank you.

First of all, I would just like to say kudos with coming up with that snuff film scene. Even the basest pleasures of vampires are not that far off from humans' either.

In episode 2, we found out that George has been a werewolf for more than a year before he met Tully. Even though it's been pointed out that George is in denial about his situation and thus does not want to work out the preparations for his monthly transformations, it doesn't make sense for him to let his situation go on for more than 12 months. At the very least, he would have come up with a way to make sure he won't be without any clothes come the next morning. But we found out he doesn't even get Mitchell to come and get him so he doesn't have to wander naked and maybe steal from the clothesline again (yes I'm drawing a bit from the pilot here). It just seems like the guy has not much of what we call common sense.

Ahahha yeah. I am getting way too invested in this. Let me stop now.

Is there any way to make the show available to it's American fans? It would be great to be able to utilize the Ö÷²¥´óÐã videos instead of watching it in bits and pieces on Youtube!

Ok I'll happily admit I'm utterly hooked on this show and busy convincing everyone I know to watch it as well. However I do have a rather silly little question that's been bugging me since the pilot. The gold chain that George wears, it's a Star of David at the end of it, right? I'm assuming so as he rips it off during his first transformation and yet is very careful to leave it with Mitchell the night of and retrieve it the morning after his transformations.

I'd like to confirm that because I find it curious that he'd be so convinced that God is punishing him through this curse and yet he still treats the necklace with intense respect. It'd be just another fascinating little aspect of his already impressively complex personality.

The gold chain that George wears

Yes, the necklace! Very intriguing. I guess it couldn't be a crucifix he'd leave with Mitchell, or that would be another plot hole...

Or *would* it...?

Another blog entry already? You guys are really spoiling us (keep it up).

Yes, Mr Whithouse, please do keep this up. It really is a great read. I admit I was upset about the recasting issues at first, but I need not have worried. It works really well. This show is just SO unique. A top, top series. And what a great idea the 'blogs' are. It really is fascinating to 'look behind the scenes' and see just what goes on to produce something like this. Thank you for letting us into your 'home'. For me I think it is the mixture of comedy, horror and sci-fi which makes this series stand out. Not to mention those one line gags that are almost thrown away but have you laughing out loud (polo, ikea, etc). I am absolutely hooked on this program. I never watched Ö÷²¥´óÐã3 before. But I have a question. I watched your interview about the creation of the series very closely and was wondering if that is a tattoo you have, and could you tell us anything about it?

fuzzytove Mitchell and George used the saferoom until the first episode. Mitchell would come and let him out in the morning with a new set of clothes as he said he was going to do in episode 1 before George found that they had started work on the room.

Great read Toby. Thanks. I'm a little disappointed that my guess at the answer to the "pizza guy" question was wrong (I thought he was obviously a vampire or a werewolf!). But never mind!

Keep up the good work.

K

I have a question about the rules you have established for Vampires.

The idea that they don't show up on silver backed recording/viewing technology is pretty cool, but I think it presents a problem with their infiltration of society. Take Herrick for example, a vampire who appears to be an high ranking police officer - or even Mitchell himself, an hospital employee. Both of these character will regularly come up against ID card pictures, security cameras, etc...

For example Mitchell would need a ID card that declares him to be a member of the hospital staff, while Herrick will need one that shows he is a police officer. It's simply impossible for him to gain entrance into many places otherwise or even to become an officer of the law.

What about situations where cases Herrick has worked on need to have CCTV footage reviewed, or shown in court?

Is it possible that Vampires are able to concentrate mentally when the need arises to circumvent this rule, allowing images of them to be captured - kind of like how a human may be able to meditate mentally to slow down their heart or perform seemingly preternatural feats such as some monks and martial arts experts demonstrate?

If Annie is able to feel more comfortable and become more solid, maybe Vampires are able to concentrate on becoming visible to camera's for a short time?

Perhaps only older, more experienced vampires are able to do this, allowing them to infiltrate and successfully exist in high ranking positions or in general, every day jobs?

I'd be really interested to know if you have considered this angle to the story telling and the myths of the Being Human 'verse.

On a less technical note I just want to say that I think Being Human is the single greatest supernatural drama that the UK has ever produced, and you should proud of it in every regard. It truly does rank as high as many genre defining classics. Speaking as a wanna-be scriptwriter currently studying at University it is of the type of quality, depth and originality that I think every writer should aspire for. Keep up the good work.

- Marcus

"Mitchell and George used the saferoom until the first episode. Mitchell would come and let him out in the morning with a new set of clothes"

But as Fuzzytove pointed out, in the pilot, George transformed in the open and picked clothes off lines in the morning. In fact, it's during the pilot that they find the isolation room in the hospital... But this might be one of those things to quietly ignore for the series... :-)

I still think, though, that the main point is that George relies on Mitchell to come get him with clothes in the morning - that's one of the things showing his denial. Tully wanted him to be more independent.

Hi Mr. Whithouse (I feel like a child when I say that lol... well I am only 17, and just so you know, loads of my classmates love and watch the show, I sent out about 35 text messages on the night of the first episode to make sure everyone is tuning into this magnificent show!!!) Anyway, to the question:

How much time do you spend on set, as in, when the show is filming, are you always directly involved/on-hand or do you just see the finalized product?

Thank You, Mr. Whithouse and
P.S. Russell Tovey is a gem! (I can't imagine George being played by anyone else. XXX

the pilot episode can be found on you tube for those who havent seen it. I watched it there after I had already seen the first episode of the new series.

i didnt even hear there was a pilot episode until reading some comments on here, none of which were very complimentary about the re-casting of annie and mitchell.

i enjoyed the pilot immensely and am enjoying the new series just as much. yes the pilot was darker but i feel in the new series the characters as more human, more real i suppose, and kind of like people i would be friends with.

it's one of the best new british shows I've seen since shameless made it's first appearence.

well done to the whole team.

I beleve in Vampires my ex boy friend was a tax inspector.

Er.... are we going to see more werewolves,
Nina might be one.
Ok, it's 4 in the morning, I am babbling

I really like the new interpretation of Mitchell in the series.

I didn't dislike the original, but there's just something a bit less superior and a bit more insecure about this one that I think makes him a more empathic character over the portrayal in the pilot.

I particularly like that his back story has him as a World War 1 soldier.

It seemed to me a more unique choice than making him hundreds of years old, which I'd have thought would have been most peoples temptation.

Was there a particular reason why you chose that era for him, had that always been in his back story, or was this a development of making the series?

Also, just a daft thought, ever wondered what Mitchell would have on his Ipod?

120 years of being alive would give him a fairly broad music taste?

Anything from George Formby to Amy Winehouse?

Thanks for the pointer about YT site! Now I have seen the pilot ep, I could appreciate the similarities *and* differences for the story.
The central ideas remain, the angst is there, I'm even more drawn into how the characters work (if that's the right word for it).
I like the humour and ordinaryness added between what they have to go through eg pub conversations. So we have to really think about 'what is normal?' and what makes a human being human. At the same time we can enjoy the comedy moments often just the expression on face or lines like the Polo mint one or Colin Firth one.
I was curious if the writer has identified with one of the three characters OR parts of all three?
I'll be eagerly awaiting ep 3...

Ooh, good idea whoever decided to make the comments blue instead of black.

ANSTEER, I agree about making Mitchell a soldier. And it's just the perfect setting for Herrick to have killed and recruited, as it would be ar easier to make it go unnoticed. As far as the casting goes, I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both interpretations of Mitchell; the old one gave the relationship with George a far more effortless, natural and witty performance. The new Mitchell does a good job of portraying the idea of an 'addict' brooding and trying to resist temptation every second of every day.

I think we just have to give the new cast time; it must be very hard to know you are stepping in the shoes of an already loved character. On that note, the new Annie is really growing on me.

Russel Tovy will always be the best actor in it though; what a legend!

Can't wait for episode three...have watched the pilot and the first two episodes of the series a number of times just to get me throught the week's wait!

Still wish the new female vamp had been a better choice though

The part of Becca was also good in episode 2 by the way. I've worked in a hospital and I think Jessica Harris was very believable and likeable as that character. And Russel's chemistry with her was good.

Whoops, I meant Sinead Keenan as Nina, sorry

I really want to know if there is actually a bit in Casablanca where a chair falls over lol but I'm not THAT much of a dedicated fan to sit through it all..bet someone's done it though!

After watching the first 2 episodes i am as you can say "addicted" to the show I finaly was able to watch the pilot episode and I feel it clears up some of the thought I had about their past like How George says he saw his GF after he met Annie
Also ,it shows how they lived before the moved into the house.

Okays, questions...

How did you come up with and develop the idea for 'Being Human'? Did anything in particular act as inspiration for you?

'Being Human' seems to be very popular. If a second series is commissioned do you already have stories and ideas in your mind which you intend to explore?

Oh, and as a fan I thank you for giving us this oppotunity to ask questions. I'm eagerly looking forward to Episode 3.

Toby, as a big fantasy fan I'm often disappointed by the Beeb's offerings - they're frequently very squeaky clean and don't always focus on series-long plots either, so it's great to see Being Human departing from the "fantasy is for kids" path and taking a squarely adult approach. Can you tell us more about what prompted you to write in a more adult vein (pun intended) in the first place?

I'm really loving this show and take part in some very lively and interesting discussions with my fellow addicts on a couple of forums.

A couple of things have us puzzled though about episode 2, Tully refers to running water being a barrier when in wolf-form.
Was that meant in the same way that some of the old mythology has vampires unable to cross running water? Or don't they like swimming?!
And could Tully really have killed himself by hanging? Or was it another manipulative move?

Thanks for a great series - come on Ö÷²¥´óÐã, commission a second onw.

Obviously it fitted the story well but - why did you have to kill off Gilbert? He was a good actor and a likeable a. And yet you keep Lauren who, frankly, is neither of those things. Such a shame, although good plots.

*Likable CHARACTER, sorry

What a great show! I finally have something i can watch and enjoy.
Love the show, i'm totally addicted! can't wait for next week's episode!

Cheers!

whay did you change the actors? I liked much more the other vampire, he had more appeal and mystery, wasn't so ordinary looking. I suppose there's a commercial interest, I get that, like changing the neurotic annie for this one, more "girlie". I had nothing against the people workung, but I liked better the characters in the pilot. Forgive my spelling or grammar errors, english is not my mother tongue.

Keep it coming.

Makes such a contrast with L to C, my other favourite. Got to be nippy with the zapper.

Promise when it becomes a chore you will give the whole thing up.

Thanks to all involved

I just gotta say I'm Hooked on BH as it is the best drama I've seen since 'Life on /mars'. I especaly like the way that it focuses on the human side of the characters instead of their abilities
as well as the fact that for the vampires the effects are quite subtle instead of making a big thing out of it like you get on shows like buffy. If the beeb don't recomission it will be their biggest mistake of the year
PS
can Sperkii please stop critizising Lauren as I'm starting to find it a bit tedious & I prefur her to the one in the pilot in particular the feeling of adiction s shown in episode 3

Hi Toby,

I asked these in another blog, but thought I'd repeat them here for when you get round to answering the next batch of questions...?

First - why do Mitchell and Lauren wear fingerless gloves? Is it something to do with them specifically being vampires?

I didn't quite understand why the fight between Annie/Owen happened - specifically the significance of the thong (and why it had been put down the toilet?) Is this something I've missed - there is a lot going on in each episode, so I'll have to watch it again I think - or will it be explained later?

Thanks
Loving the series - a week is too long to wait!!

mcgel321 - If you don't like my comments, don't read them! I don't tell you what you can and can't say!

Posted this in another blog but I assume you answer questions posted in this one so here goes.

Would Nina be infected with the Werewolf curse through unprotected sex like Jason is in the film Ginger Snaps?

You talk about worrying that the 'first' episode would be repeatative to those who had seen the pilot. I just wanted to say that I think you got it just right - we too needed to be introduced to the new actors' portrayals of Annie and Mitchell, and there were enough in-jokes and references to the pilot to keep us amused and happy. Picking the story up pretty much where it left off means we can view the pilot as part of the series rather than having to try to forget it, which is great. Hoping the pilot will be on the DVD (which I'm already looking forward to way too much)!

spekii-fair enough it just seemed to me that you were spending too much time concentrating on one character rather then the series as a whole

It's great - we're both truly hooked. It's got a lot of depth and albeit the black comedic moments the whole atmosphere of the show reeks of the dark suppressed terror of the fates that might yet befall our heroes and the nightmares that are their lives already - it's truly leading us both in and we won't miss a moment. Quality entertainment guys - keep it up - please...!!

Hi, this comment has already been raised but being new to blogs, I didn't find an outright answer to the question that had come up about why a couple of the actors had been changed from the pilot. I was really happy to see that a new series was coming on (and am enjoying it) but that was definitely curbed when I first tuned in to see that two of the actors had been changed. Why? It was a disappointment - the new people are great, but I fell for Being Human with the original cast, and feel there was more 'earthiness' with the originals. Mitch in particular had much more of a vampiric edge in his original incarnation and I loved that Annie was so quirky. The two new people are almost too stereotypically 'pretty pretty', looking like they'd be as at home in a Gucci ad. They're supposed to be a vampire and a ghost for God's sake! Some of us like the alternative. It makes us feel at home.

Dear Mr Whithouse,

I am a third year university student studying art and english literature. I am taking a module on gender and contemporary popular culture, and I have decided to write my essay on Being Human. Obviously this website gives lots of nuggets of information, but I was wondering whether you would divulge some more specific information on how important you think gender is in Being Human?
For instance, is it just concidence that you made the most passive paranormal entity (a ghost) a woman? Also, there are homosexual comments made about Mitchell and George - why did you include these, and what do you think it adds to the programme? Did you mean to make the vampire group patriarchal? How would it have been different if a woman was head vampire? And lastly, as Nina is scratched in the last episode by George, do you think you will find it a challenge to present a female werewolf in series 2 - as most werewolves in the media are male?
It would be fabulous if you could answer these questions, as it would really help my essay and my grade!

Thanks for creating such an interesting show!

You can get the pilot on Amazon

HI,

I was just wondering when u will start the filming for the new series and also will u be holding auditions? I would love to be part of the fantastic programme Being Human!

I like to watch certain television shows (True Blood, Mad Men, etc) via my own DVD collections for time and place considerations. So I was introduced to 'Being Human' via a very small review piece in a fashion magazine here in Australia. So I ordered the first series from my local DVD store.

I hadn't seen the pilot and the first episode was pretty tame (for those who have seen 'True Blood' it's like 'Twilight' on steroids and Viagra, so I had high hopes for BH). I persevered through the 2nd episode and then things really started to come alive (um....so to speak). By the fourth episode I was hooked too. I work as a writer and am developing my first screenplay so I took particular interest, Toby, in the script and character development. It's very different from 'True Blood' and of course it's English; I admire the scripts and some of the deep and meaningful conversations the characters have - usually between Mitchell and Herrick - but George is also becoming more articulate and profound, despite his slightly feminine demeanor. Annie needs to toughen up - I loved that she kicked vampire ass in the final episode of Series One.

I can't wait for series two. Cheers - Penelope

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