Strange

Thoroughly enjoyable. Intelligently scripted, a nice mix of ambiguous characters, plenty of scope for development, and all attractively acted. When watching this, I thought it was on a par with Channel 4's superb "Ultraviolet" mini-series made in 1998. Aha, I now see that was also written and directed by Joe Ahearne.

More please, BBC!

I didn't see this at all when it first aired, as I live in the USA. For my countrymen, the obvious comparison is to The X-Files, as a believer and a skeptic (at first, anyway) investigate supernatural mysteries. Instead of UFOs, though, the central bugaboo in this series is demons.

Some of the story elements are familiar to longtime genre viewers. The title character, John Strange (as far as we know, no relation to Adam Strange of The Strange Report) is a defrocked priest, which brings to mind the unsold TV pilot "The Possessed" from Jerry Thorpe (producer of Kung Fu) with James Farentino. The frequent setting of the hospital is reminiscent of the contemporaneous American series The Others, about a group of spiritualists and psychic investigators.

But this series, Strange, is better-written than the first season of the X-Files was. The mysteries are more complex, the scares a little chillier, the backstory exposition revealed at a more leisurely pace. Strange's distaff partner, Jude Atkins, is a nurse and a single mom, and there is a refreshingly honest feminist & working class subtext often absent from American television. Ian Richardson is a delicious treat in his role as Strange's foil. Sadly, there are only a handful of episodes, so the considerable potential of this series remains mostly untapped. Which is sad, as I would rather have watched this than Supernatural.

The BBC are notoriously bad at bringing the super natural to the screen... especially on a Saturday night but they may just be about to crack it with 'Strange'. Firstly there was the great cast lead by the curly haired Richard Coyle (Jeff from Coupling) here not only dropping the Welsh accent but also the nerdish nervousness and adopting the role of demon hunter like a pro. Not only a good looking guy but laden with enough charisma and timing to ensure John Strange goes form strength to strength once a series is commissioned. Sam Janus also shined alongside Ian Richardson as the menacing Canon Black. The pilot introduced us to John Strange and his theories of demons lurking the world in human guise, and ended with him and Jude joining forces to kick some 'Azal demon of electricity's' butt. The effects were exceptional, the bad guy looking suitably scary. The pilot leaves us with more than enough loose ends and unanswered questions for a full series to be a must. I will enjoy watching these characters develop.

Former priest Jonathan Strange now spends his time hunting for reminds, disillusioned with The Church, he teams up with a nurse named Jude, but finds his endeavours blocked by Canon Black.

Seven cracking episodes, what a shame The BBC had no foresight to extend it beyond seven episodes, I wouldn't perhaps say it was ahead of its time, more unusual for the early 2000's.

How sad that it's never had a commercial release, I'm sure there'd be enough interest out there for one.

Writer Andrew Marshall is perhaps better known for comedy, 2.4 Children being 'THE' sitcom I grew up with in The 90's, who'd have thought that he'd own such a seriously good series about Priests and Demons.

I enjoyed every single episode, I particularly enjoyed Incubus, that was such a grizzly, fast moving episode, but each one has something to offer. Each one could easily be adapted into a horror film today.

Some fine performances throughout, aside from the regular cast, Anna Massey, Imelda Staunton and Tom Baker were great fun, I couldn't help but adore Ian Richardson's scorn and sarcasm throughout.

Well worth seeing.

8/10.

What a shame the BBC cancelled this. I adore all things sci-fi /fantasy (hence my love of Buffy, X-Files, Dark Angel and most recently Supernatural) and this had a good sense of humour about it.

Sometimes it got a bit ludicrous, but had such potential that the BBC were too short sighted to exploit. Richard Coyle was perfectly suited as were the rest of the cast.

I guess its just another of the shows that the BBC are too afraid of hence all the detective dramas and soaps four times a week. Anything they think won't do well enough gets cancelled.

I just hope they don't do the same thing with Sea of Souls.