Did You Know This About…Misfits

Spoiler phrases: “villain” and “shopping centre”

Misfits was brought to Channel 4 by Merlin‘s Howard Overman. The story followed four youths on community service who are caught in a lightning storm that gives them supernatural powers. Before long, they realise that they’re not the only ones who were affected as they are caught up in murder, lies and deceit. But, don’t be expecting a full blown serious drama here. The show fed into mainly comedy and crudeness. Think Skins meets Heroes.

The show ran for five years and was a big hit with viewers who tuned in year after year until it bowed out in 2013. Jeesh, nine years ago now! But, what are the stories behind the show? Take a look! Some you may know, some you may not.

Iwan Rheon’s Simon was intended to be a villain

This is something that actually would have fit quite well. Introvert and victimised Simon struggled to blend in with the rest of his community service buddies to begin with. The original idea was for his alienation to drive him to become the show’s version of a super villain, pitting him against his group.

Of course, this wasn’t the case. Simon instead began a relationship with Alesha and grew to know the group as friends, all thanks to his future self travelling back in time and revealing himself as the man in the ski mask.

It was originally set in a shopping centre

Yeah, this would have changed the show in quite a way wouldn’t it. it turns out, instead of a community centre as the prime location, we would have seen the show set in a shopping centre. This would have meant we’d see our characters working Saturday jobs in various shops when they would find themselves interacting.

Eventually, it was decided that the show should go in a more “urban” direction. This then turned all attention to the setting a murky community centre. To be fair, I doubt we’d have changed it for the world!

Karla Crome and Nathan McMullen originally auditioned for different parts

A common situation in this business. Go to audition for a character. Don’t get the job. But you’re remembered and they call you back for another role. This was the case for Karla Crome and Nathan McMullen, who both became series regulars in series 4.

Originally, Crome auditioned for Nikki, Curtis’ love interest throughout series 2. McMullen took a swing at one of the villains of the week during series 3. Though they were unsuccessful, it worked in their favours. The actors ended up staying on the show from series 4 to series 5 for the final run. “Every cloud” I guess.

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The actors were not impressed by their owner changes for Series 3

Series 3 decided to change things up for our gang by giving them fresh powers, which was hinted in the final moments of series 2’s Christmas special. Although these new powers made for some fun storylines, ultimately the lead actors weren’t all that impressed by their characters’ new abilities.

However, there was one exception in Antonia Thomas, who was relieved to not be doing so many sexual scenes anymore. Yeah, fair enough.

Each actor had a say in their character’s journey

Usually in most cases, you get your script and you play to the tune of the writers. But with Misfits, the stars got to have a bit more say.

Howard Overman made it so that the actors could have a say in how their characters would react to certain situations and the directions their storylines could be steered towards. If that is so, then these actors helped to make some pretty big moments in television!

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Did you know any of these facts? Know anymore maybe? Let us know in the comment section below!