By Darwyn Carson – Surprise. You don’t have to be a zombie movie lover to enjoy the three part mini-series premiering tonight on BBC America.
Point of fact, In the Flesh, begins on the downside of a living dead uprising and deals with what happens after, but it’s not the end-of-the-world, apocalyptic horror-fare that we’ve grown accustomed to. It’s a zombie drama of a different sort and that, too, is an understatement.
As one might expect, fear is one of the major components, but in this case, it doesn’t come from the usual suspects. Creator Dominic Mitchell mixes this hugely popular genre with dark humor while exploring human traits and ingrained behavior patterns: remorse, survivor guilt, resentment and the biggie that never seems to go away, prejudice.
In The Flesh, Season-1 (Photo Courtesy of BBC America)
Kieren Walker, played by Luke Newberry, has had the misfortune of becoming one of the living dead—excuse me, I mean a Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferer—and it’s mainly through him that the story unfolds. Walker is a different sort of hero; saddened, albeit charismatic, and zombie or no… you can’t help but root for him.
I won’t say any more as part of the pleasure of this series is in the discovery. It’s unique and fun. So I’ll leave you to it.
Tune in to In the Flesh starting tonight, Thursday, June 6 at 10pm on BBC America.
