Misfits (2009)

Series 2, Episode 1 of Misfits review

The second series of last year's surprisingly good ASBO superhero show Misfits continues to excite, entertain and amuse.

Post-Bafta, more people are on to the fact that Misfits is one of the most original shows on the box, and this series two opener suggests it's not about to drop the ball just yet. Our gang of asbo superheroes are still on community service, though their habit of disposing of probation officers is starting to get out of hand, and there's the pesky problem of Nathan's immortality to deal with. Full of killer lines and gruesome scenes that wouldn't look out of place in a Hollywood horror, it really is in a class of its own.

The unlikely superheroes are back for a second series but they're one misfit down. The smart-aleck of the group, Nathan, has been buried alive, having discovered his power - immortality - a little too late. His impudent quips can't get him out of this hole, it seems. Simon also has a problem: a goggle-eyed ex from his stint in a psychiatric hospital who turns out to be even creepier than him. Oh yes, and there's the teeny-tiny matter of the probation officer he bumped off. Every so often, he tiptoes over to the freezer and gazes guiltily down at her leering corpse. While there's no shortage of racy scenes and jokes, this opening episode already feels darker and more ambitious. It's not long before the scared teens turn on each other, little realising there's a shape-shifter in their midst, and just who is that masked stranger clad head-to-toe in black?

The second series of Misfits is here and it's as good (and hidden away) as ever. The show begins with star of the show Nathan (Robert Sheehan will conquer the world) buried alive where his immortality and irritating quips can't help him. (If you were to meet Robert Sheehan, you might wonder if this was wish fulfilment on the part of an exasperated director).

The other major plot sees Simon with a weirdo ex on his tail, a body in a freezer and a shapeshifter in the gang. You kind of hope that they throttle back on the supernatural and concentrate on the relationships, but there's clearly so much ambition gone into it, that you're easily willing to let it slide. Great to have you back.

When this won the Bafta for Best Drama earlier this year, the audience was surprised. Although perhaps not as surprised as the cast, who admitted they never thought they'd win. To call it a blend of Heroes and Skins really doesn't do this justice - it positively bubbles with wit, invention, and some terrific performances. As we rejoin the ASBO kids imbued with superpowers, immortal Nathan has been buried alive, Simon's trying to hide a dead body, and they still have to complete their community service. Yet all those problems are trifles compared to the arrival of a masked character and a girl with a face that you'll see in your nightmares. Confident, brash and deeply brilliant drama.

Video: Misfits interview

An interview with Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Iwan Rheon and Antonia Thomas.

Could Misfits spawn a US remake?

When a newly commissioned series about a band of superhero teenagers with community service orders won the Bafta for best drama ahead of Spooks and The Street, it raised a few eyebrows.

Not least among the cast of Misfits themselves, as shocked as anyone at the Bafta TV awards in June.

Misfits Series 2 review: Have-A-Go Heroes

We could go on about the wit and grit of Misfits - and we will if we get enough time - but all that really needs to be said is that none of it has been lost from the excellent opening run.

When Misfits won the BAFTA for best drama series in June, probably no one was more surprised than the cast themselves.

Perhaps there was something in these ­super-powers of theirs to enable them to fight off competition from the big guns of Spooks and The Street.

Series two brings with it more ASBOs-meets-Heroes shenanigans for Simon, Kelly, Alisha and Curtis and especially for Nathan, who only found out what his super-power was at the end of season one. He's just discovered he's immortal - but he found out the hard way by being killed falling off a roof.

We look forward to plenty of South Park-style "Oh my God, they've killed Nathan" moments this series provided, that is, he figures out a way to escape being buried alive. Perhaps the mysterious masked figure who we see watching over them tonight will be able to help.

Misfits' probation officers would also benefit from a Get Out Of Death Free card. They've already killed two ­probation workers and so we hope that number three, who takes them on tonight, has a sense of humour and good life insurance. True Blood fans will spot that despite being made on a fraction of the budget, the two series do share quite a few things in common including those scary black saucer-eyes.

Here they show up on a new character whose particular abilities are going to cause plenty of mischief and confusion tonight.

Misfits series two - first night review

The new season kicks off with gore, one-liners and some tender moments all packed in one highly charged hour.