RUSSELL TOVEY - No.942

CHANGES FOR SEASON THREE

BEING HUMAN

Being Human – Season Three

Date: 07.01.2011

Being Human, BBC Three's hit drama series about supernatural friends trying to live normal lives despite their unusual afflictions, is back – and, says writer creator Toby Whithouse: "It is, without doubt, our best series yet.

"A third series is a unique opportunity because it allows you to take all the best bits of series one and series two," he says. "What we took from series one is the domestic element and very strong stories of the week with very strong guest characters. Series two had much more of an epic sweep and a breadth of ambition. Series three has allowed us to combine all those things."

There are a few changes afoot when viewers meet the friends at the beginning of the new series. Werewolf couple George (Russell Tovey) and Nina (Sinead Keenan) and reformed vampire Mitchell (Aidan Turner) have fled their beloved shared house in Bristol and are looking for a new house to rent in Barry, Wales. They are also without ghost Annie (Lenora Crichlow), who is stuck in purgatory and desperately trying to escape.

Having been such an integral part of the first and second series, it was difficult to leave Bristol behind – but the new location has given the show an extra freshness that has helped in the storytelling.

"Our concern was that moving from Bristol and losing the iconic pink house would be detrimental to the show but, actually, we found that it really reinvigorated it," explains Whithouse.

"It allowed us to kick off the series with a fresh start and with a renewed energy and provided us with heaps more material than we imagined."

Leaving the memories of their much-loved former house behind, George, Nina and Mitchell settle into their new home – a kitsch bed and breakfast named Honolulu Heights that boasts many benefits for supernatural sharers – a large basement providing a safe and sheltered environment on a full moon, for one. Whithouse describes the new set as "jaw-dropping."

"I've always said that Andrew [Purcell], our set designer, is a genius and every series we set him a huge new task and he never lets us down.

"The attention to detail is absolutely amazing. I've been on set goodness knows how many times but every time I go back there I'll notice a new detail – something new that he's popped in – it's absolutely awe-inspiring what he's done."

Being Human has amassed a huge fanbase both in the UK and US and has even spawned a US remake due on screens in 2011. The pressure of maintaining the quality and popularity of a show which has such a vocal audience is "daunting", says Whithouse. "I know how important the show is to its fans and so I'm aware that I have a responsibility not to let them down.

"But I think that's good and quite enjoy the pressure and the challenge. They know the show almost better than I do and I relish the challenge of coming up with ideas that surprise them."

Series three boasts an impressive array of guest-stars, includingLacey Turner in her first role after EastEnders as Lia, who Mitchell meets in purgatory; Robson Green (Wire In The Blood) as primitive werewolf McNair; Michael Socha (This Is England '86) as McNair's son Tom; Paul Kaye (It's All Gone Pete Tong) as twisted vampire Vincent;Craig Roberts (Young Dracula) as teenage vampire Adam; Nicola Walker (Spooks) as social worker Wendy; James Fleet (Vicar Of Dibley) as George's father George Snr; and Jason Watkins making an eventful return as vampire leader Herrick.

An online extension to Being Human will also launch on-line mid-way through the third series. Created by Toby Whithouse, and written byBrian Dooley, Jamie Mathieson and John Jackson, Becoming Human is set in a fictional college and will follow a new group of characters over nine episodes.

Throughout filming and transmission the Being Human blog offers fans a regularly updated behind-the-scenes glimpse into the show, with videos, blog posts and news updates from the cast and crew of the show.

Being Human is a Touchpaper Television production for BBC Wales, created by Toby Whithouse (Torchwood, Doctor Who) and produced by Phil Trethowan (Sold).

Executive producers are Rob Pursey for Touchpaper Television (City Of Vice, Single-Handed), Eleanor Moran for BBC Wales and Toby Whithouse.

Series three writers are Toby Whithouse (eps 1, 7 and 8), Brian Dooley (ep 2), Jamie Mathieson (ep 3) John Jackson (ep 4), Sarah Phelps (ep 5) and Lisa McGee (ep 6).

Being Human was commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and Danny Cohen, previous Controller of BBC Three.

Being Human is also being simulcast on the award-winning BBC HDchannel – the BBC's High Definition channel available through Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin Media channel 187.

BBC HD offers the very best of the BBC's programming in high definition, bringing audiences the programmes they love with up to five times more detail than standard definition and exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures.

George

As a man he might lack bite, but as a werewolf...

George is all about opposites. He's a family man, but he's turned his back on his own. He loves Nina but so often pushes her away. And most of all he's kind, gentle and thoughtful. But when the full moon comes he's vicious, deadly and violent. Oh yes, George is certainly a man of opposites.

George was a regular, 'sweet but dull' guy before he was given 'the curse' on a holiday to Scotland. Whilst walking the moors he was approached by an American tourist, eventually getting distracted and becoming lost. It was then that night fell and the howling began. When the attack came it was quick and frightening. The tourist was found dead, ripped open from end to end. George was the lucky one, or so he thought. But when the next full moon came, his life was never to be the same again.

As a response to the monthly chaos, George uses his life with Annie, Mitchell and Nina as a way of holding on tightly to normality. He'll try anything just to get close to what others take for granted, and the more things slip from his grasp the more he tries to pull them back. Order makes him feel safe. But when George is around the time of a full moon he becomes more unpredictable. The instincts of the wolf begin to bristle, his sense of smell tingles and his strength grows way beyond the strongest of humans. George has tried many times to banish his lupine urges, but like it or not the wolf will always return.

With this turbulent life come many opportunities for self-improvement. With Mitchell he allows himself to be moulded, learning to chat up girls and play it cool. His relationship with Nina relaxes him and opens him up. And his adventures with Annie teach him to embrace danger and push beyond his comfort zone in order to help others. But this easy influence is dangerous with George, and sometimes he puts complete faith in people who are very bad for him. Like we said, George is a man of opposites.

Everyone’s a critic - some more than others!

Lullabelleno: @thepyromanical1 That's kinda how I feel about Russell Tovey. Would not f**k. Would buy him a beer, and possibly try to touch his ears.

S_L_crawford: Nothing is impossible in Scifi. Bring back #Ianto Jones. We say no to Russell Tovey!!!

EmoSpaceWhale‎: RT @squirrelyTONKS: Ohhh Russell Tovey is brilliant...#BeingHuman