‘Being Human’ Is Picked Up By SyFy For An American Version
Syfy has handed out a 13-episode order to a U.S. version of the BBC show Being Human from RDF Media USA.
Being Human revolves around three twentysomething roommates — who happen to be a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf — as they help one another navigate the complexities of living double lives.
The deal for a U.S. take on the show at Syfy marks the first scripted series order for the cable network following its rebranding this summer designed to attract broader audience. It also marks the first scripted series order for RDF Media USA.
The original series, produced by RDF subsidiary Touchpaper TV and executive produced by Rob Pursey, had an initial six-episode run on digital channel BBC Three. It was so successful that the show got a second window on mothership BBC One. It is slated to return early next year for an eight-episode second season.
Being Human appeared on Syfy’s radar about two years ago when the network was given the pilot script by the BBC, which was seeking to bring in the U.S. cable network in as co-producer. It was too late in the process, so Syfy brass passed but became instant fans of the material.
“It turned out great as we can now do an American version,” Syfy president Dave Howe said. “We’ve always been keen on vampires and werewolves, and we loved the originality of Being Human, the fact that the fantastical creatures in it are very young, accessible and charming.”
Howe stressed that Syfy is not going to “slavishly replicate the British version.” Some of network’s core audience already might be familiar with the original series, which runs in the U.S. on BBC America.
The search is on for a writer to adapt “Human,” with Syfy targeting a launch in summer or fall 2010 and eyeing it as a potential companion piece to breakout hit Sanctuary, which shares similar subject matter.
The U.S. version of “Human” drew a lot of interest from broadcast and cable networks and several production commitment offers, but Syfy stood out, RDF Media USA CEO Chris Coelen said.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
October 29th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
God, you just know that the yanks are gonna destroy it!
If they like our version so much, why cant they just be happy to watch it?
October 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I agree! I’m an American and it sickens me to think of “Being Human” becoming “americanized”! The British flavor is part of what makes it such a brilliant show… Why do we need another version???
October 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
If you know it will suck than just ignore it, hollywood obviously has no decent ideas this point in time.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Being human is fine just the way it is ON BBC! and I LOVE IT
November 15th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
US remakes are not always bad: Look at “The Office”. It can be hit or miss sometimes, but it’s worth trying. If the source material is good, which it must be to inspire a remake, it’s down to the writers, directors and actors to make it happen.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I’m American and I think syfy should have just co produced being human. Its perfect how it is and nothing can be better. I can’t wait for the second series!
November 20th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
This gives them a chance to reimagine George as a less irritating person.
November 29th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
“We loved the originality of Being Human.”
Here’s a thought: If you love originality, CREATE SOMETHING ORIGINAL, or even PAY FOR THE ORIGINAL.
There is no need to remake this series for American audiences. None.
December 15th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
As an American I can say that yes Hollywood will only screw it up. Just send season 2 to BBC America as soon as possible as I need something to watch.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
It’s just so sad this American version is going to come out I love the ORIGINAL I encourage people just to watch the original and not the remake
December 20th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I agree with what’s been said. Leave it to the Brits, it rocks.
Watch the original.
December 30th, 2009 at 6:44 am
I wish syfy would play the BBC version, even if it’s a season behind… The BBC cast is so fantastic that I don’t think any other cast could really do it justice.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I CAN ONLY WATCH THE TRUE BEING HUMAN FROM THOSE WHO DO THE YOUTUBE UK. THERE IS WHERE ALL THE GOOD STUFF IS SHOWN. IN AMBERICA WE ARENT AS LIBERAL AS THE ENGLISH. OR SHOULD I SAY WE ARE MORE STUFFY IN TELEVISION. TO MAN PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SEX AND NUDITY. I SAY DONT WATCH IT IF YOU DONT LIKE IT AND AS FAR AS THE OFFICE IN THE STATES ITS JUST NOT AS GOOD AS UK VERSION. WE CUT TO MUCH OF THE GOOD STUFF OUT HERE THAT MAKES IT HAVE FLAVOR.
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Obviously the SYFY channel has no original ideas. Even they’re made-for-TV movies really suck. I don’t know whose doing their writing, but it’s pretty lame. I agree with the majority, leave it alone. SYFY will only bastardize it, and who would they get to play George? I shudder to think. And of course, being an American production, they’ll have to make it PC. Consider what was done with the remake of “The Andromeda Strain”. Having watched TV since ‘48, I can honestly say that Being Human is one of the most brilliant shows on either sode of the pond. Let’s hear it for the Brits!
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:30 pm
I understand what is being said about how syfy shouldn’t make the American version of Being Human which is true in a sense that americans do mess up good british shows. There is also the fact that if they don’t try to do their own version of the show they see that it just better to leave it to the british. Because the british do have away of making great shows.
July 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Why reinvent the wheel when there’s already a perfectly good wheel out there?
I want the original wheel!
August 1st, 2010 at 4:26 am
I’m an Aussie and I agree with the majority.There is only one Being Human and we don’t need a take off version.Leave well enough alone. If Sci Fi can’t think of anything original and want to produce a Vampire/ Supernatural show ( blind Freddy can see this genre is the in thing at the moment) why not try and pick up Moonlight. There seems to be a lot of ML fans screaming for it’s return.You can’t perfect perfection, so leave Being Human alone please.
August 8th, 2010 at 5:11 am
I came across Being Human out of shear luck. As long as I can download BBC’s version from itunes I’m content. It’s brilliant. Syfy should play it how it is or leave it alone. We already have enough unwitty, dull, mind numbing crap on t.v.
October 23rd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
SyFy (note that the spelling is sci-fi’s meager attempt at branding a distinct genre) and that will give you an idea of what you’ll get with Being Human. Instead of doing it the American way why not just order the series from the original producers. Fund 13 episodes (though SyFy [try and pronounce that - Elmer Fudd] would not be the proper venue – HBO would certainly be a better choice). With SyFy (pronouced SwyFwy) you’ll get a stringy watered down version – what’s the point?