The Fades - Episode 1.01 - Preview

BBC Three’s brand new fantasy horror The Fades hits your screens this week, and if the first episode is anything to go by I think they are going to have another cult hit on their hands to rival Torchwood and Being Human.

It’s fantastic to see a ‘proper’ horror show being written and produced in the UK. The action quickly pulls us into much darker places than its other big supernatural drama, Being Human. The dead are no longer happy walking around in a world they cannot interact in, and are trying to break through into the living world to take over.

We follow Paul (Iain De Caestecker) as he unwillingly starts to admit to himself that his dreams and visions are not a product of an insane mind, but are glimpses into the future. One of the Fade, a nightmarish creature, has found out a way to touch the living world. He is becoming more corporeal and has learned to fight, torture and even kill the humans that stand in the way of his plan of taking over the living world.

The quality of acting talent, writing and direction are stellar throughout. Johnny Harris, who plays Neil, deserves a shout out for showing us what a versatile actor he is. Ever since the harrowing rape scene in the last series of ‘This is England’ I never thought I could feel any sympathy for him again. Yet I screamed when he did, I cheered for him when he did good, and my heart went out to his character, who grimly carries on the battle against those who would see his world ruined.

Daniel Kaluuya, as Mac, also stood out for me. He genuinely made me laugh out loud quite a few times and I lost count of the number of film quotes and hair brained theories that he came out with.

I instantly bonded with all the main characters, from socially awkward Paul and his geeky side kick Mac, to hardened warrior Neil and his Angelic partner Helen, the priest packing heat in her waistband.

It’s not often that that a first episode grabs my attention like this, it usually takes a while longer for me to warm to any new show. If the rest of the series is this good then I, for one, will be a very happy bunny. Tune into BBC Three this Wednesday at 9pm to catch the first episode.

I dare you to watch it with the lights out...