In the Flesh: Seasons 1 & 2 Review (2013 – 2014)
9.5 / 10. An original and strangely heart-warming gem in a worl saturated with zombie shows, cruelly cut short when it had much more to give *MINOR SPOILER*
In the Flesh is a ‘recovering’ zombie drama TV series written and created by Dominic Mitchell.
The show is set in the fictional village of, aptly named, Roarton, Lancashire, a year on from "The Rising", a zombie apocalypse where people who died in 2009 were reanimated and rose from their graves.
Four years later, an injectable serum - neurotriptyline - was invented to curb the zombie’s cannibalistic desires and return their human consciousness. They Partially Deceased Syndrome (PDS) sufferers undergo months of rehabilitation in a Government facility, are given flesh coloured and normal eye colour contact lenses to hide their grey, dead appearance.
The vigilante Human Volunteer Force (HVF) who fought the zombies during “The Rising” are unhappy about the reintegration of those afflicted back into the general populace.
In season one, the show focuses mainly on PDS sufferer, teenager Kieren Walker, and his return to his hometown of Roarton and the prejudice he faces from the locals, his family and his sister Jem (Harriet Cains, in a great conflicted performance). He also faces his own memories from his death before “The Rising” and is haunted by his actions as a zombie.
In Season two, Kieren has a job at the local pub and it seems that he is now in a PDS-friendly Roarton. However, the radical pro-living party, Victus, is stirring up hatred and clashes with the Undead Liberation Army. Kieren feels that dangerous times are coming. Kieren is happy to see his BDFF (best dead friend forever), Amy Dyer, return to Roarton, but brings a dangerous friend …
In a world over saturated with zombie films and tv shows, In the Flesh was a fresh British take on life after a zombie invasion.
It’s an original, subtle and beautiful story, well-acted by all. Unassuming and mild-mannered PDS sufferer Kieren (Luke Newberry) is especially endearing and grapples with memories of his actions while being a fully-fledged zombie. Emily Bevan’s Amy stands out as seemingly comic relief, whilst masking a great sadness and need for acceptance and love. It is a strangely heart-warming tale in places, with a haunting soundtrack, and the small village setting is perfect for this quirky tale.
Themes of religion, acceptance and sexuality are well tackled via the viewpoint of the rehabilitated zombie’s new ‘lives’ and the show looks at the persecution they suffer from the fearful humans who now must live alongside them.
Anyone who loves zombie films / TV shows should check this out, it’s still available on BBC iPlayer.
Cruelly cut short after only two seasons when it had much more to give, especially after the ending of season two. I’ve checked for any updates and there may be the possibility of a special as put forward by creator Dominic Mitchell, so fingers crossed.