Syfy has handed out a 13-episode order to a U.S. version of the BBC show BEING HUMAN.
BEING HUMAN revolves around three twentysomething roommates who happen to be a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf — as they help one another navigate the complexities of living double lives.
The deal for a U.S. take on the show at Syfy marks the first scripted series order for the cable network following its rebranding this summer designed to attract broader audience.
“Human” appeared on Syfy’s radar about two years ago when the network was given the pilot script by the BBC, which was seeking to bring in the U.S. cable network in as co-producer. It was too late in the process, so Syfy brass passed but became instant fans of the material.
“It turned out great as we can now do an American version,” Syfy president Dave Howe said. “We’ve always been keen on vampires and werewolves, and we loved the originality of ‘Being Human,’ the fact that the fantastical creatures in it are very young, accessible and charming.”
Howe stressed that Syfy is not going to “slavishly replicate the British version.” Some of network’s core audience already might be familiar with the original series, which runs in the U.S. on BBC America.
The search is on for a writer to adapt “Human,” with Syfy targeting a launch in summer or fall 2010 and eyeing it as a potential companion piece to breakout hit “Sanctuary,” which shares similar subject matter.
The U.S. version of “Human” drew a lot of interest from broadcast and cable networks and several production commitment offers, but Syfy stood out, RDF Media USA CEO Chris Coelen said.
“From the beginning, Syfy was unwavering in its pursuit of the project and had a lot of conviction about doing it,”
The company, which established a toehold in the U.S. on the strength of its unscripted business, has been making a big push in scripted series largely outside the traditional studio system. RDF is the sole producer of “Human” and is also working on several other scripted projects.
The original version of “Being Human” has already aired in the United States on BBC America.
