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.

I am admittedly a BBC-ophile, and sci fi is a not-so guilty pleasure, but nonetheless very choosy. This show is excellent. The production looks great and the characters are lovable; save the villains. It's as good as any other long running well acclaimed series, and like the X-files clearly takes it's lead from the old Nightstalker series, with perhaps a little Dr. Who thrown in for good measure. I always hate to see Networks scrambling to imitate forerunning shows, while researchers sit mystified by demonhunting focus groups. Likewise, American versions of well done BBC productions always fall flat or stale (Cracker). This series was emulation worthy. I'm sorry to see it's two years to late to keep it on the tele. While Fox and WB fought over Buffy, sadly this show went unnoticed by Americans viewers. Hope we see Richard Coyle again soon.

I enjoyed this series and would love to see a follow up.

Richard Coyle was well suited to the part of Strange, who had a mystery about him and Samantha Janus superbly played Staff Nurse Jude Atkins who had a small son, played by William Tomlin, who I believe has appeared in The Story of Tracy Beaker.

The special effects were excellent and very convincing and, in particular, more so in the last episode shown.

For a supernatural drama, it was not too scary, but it had just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have missed it since it finished and Saturday evenings haven't been the same without it.

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.