While season five will be the end of Being Human, it turns out that there is some good news. The creative team knew that the final six episodes were the end of the TV show in advance so that they could plan accordingly.
According to Being Human creator Toby Whithouse, “we’ve created what I hope you’ll agree is an epic, thrilling and shocking finale that’ll keep the fans guessing and speculating for years to come. Then Being Human will belong to them.”
In a blog post, Whithouse wrote:
Being Human really shouldn’t have happened. A preposterous idea, an epic and circuitous development process, a modest budget – no, we really shouldn’t have lasted. But Being Human was the little show that could, and that ridiculous idea managed to last 37 episodes, spawn an American version, 3 novels, an on-line spin-off and garner a shelf of awards…
I know many [fans] will be disappointed that the show isn’t returning, but all good things come to an end.
We must remember too that the remit of BBC Three is to encourage and support new talent, to give them opportunities to make television, to test out new ideas and formats. In that sense Being Human is perhaps a victim of its own success. We can’t really call ourselves a new show anymore, and much as I’d like to think of myself as a young thrusting new talent and not a bitter old war horse, the reality is we have a duty to move aside and make space for the next Being Human.
But much like the cast change from seasons 3 to 4, we viewed the news as an opportunity. It meant I could actually write a climax for the show, instead of it just popping out to the shops at the end of season 5 and never coming back. You’ve no idea how rare that is in television, and what a great opportunity it is to write something suitably definitive and satisfactory.
Consequently we’ve created what I hope you’ll agree is an epic, thrilling and shocking finale that’ll keep the fans guessing and speculating for years to come.
Then Being Human will belong to them. Once the credits on episode 6 roll, the future of all those characters will exist in the imagination of the audience, to do with as they please. But in a way the show always did belong to the fans. Their tenacity, passion and loyalty are what kept the show going and provided inspiration to everyone working on it.
I’m reminded of the scene in series 3, episode 8, with Mitchell and Herrick sitting in the car looking at the sunset. Herrick asks if Mitchell finds it amazing that soon this world will be theirs. And Mitchell says “It always was.”
(Yeah, and then he stakes him, I know. Ignore that bit.)
Season five of Being Human will air on BBC America in the spring. There are six episodes.
What do you think? Are you excited to see how Being Human will come to an end? Do you wish there could be a sixth season?
I didn’t like it when the original 3 was replaced. The new cast seem to have too much of a clueless look on their faces all the time, especially the newest vamp and wolf. I will watch it to see it end, but I swear I will have to buy a new TV if they end the series ala the Sopranos.
I guess all good things must come to an end. I would like for it to be a fitting end to a great show.
I would have much rather it been the US version as it is absolutely awful. It started out to be not that bad but it’s gone so far downhill in quality that I simply refuse to watch it anymore. Sam Witwer is really the only reason to watch the US Being Human anymore and the writers are even slowly ruining his character. The original UK version, that’s a different story. The writing stayed strong throughout the entire run and the acting is simply brilliant. The UK casting directors did an amazing job with the original three actors and, when they… Read more »
I dont like the sound of ” shocking finale that’ll keep the fans guessing and speculating for years to come.”
I want this show I have watched for so many years to have a conclusive ending that gives us closure. I dont want to be left on a cliffhanger of sorts.
thought this was the U.S. version for a second