HALLOWEEN is soon upon us – and to get into the spooky spirit, that means watching terrifying TV shows.
Whether pure horror or with a comedic take, there’s no better time to experience thrills and chills.
Here is a look at some of the many options that viewers could choose from.
Generation Z
Anita Dobson in Generation Z[/caption]
Made for Channel 4, Generation Z is a comedy-horror miniseries featuring a large ensemble cast.
A synopsis for the show reads: “Flesh-eating baby-boomers get a taste for teenagers in Ben Wheatley’s darkly comic, outlandishly gory, zombie-horror satire.”
The show’s all-star lineup includes Royle Family star Sue Johnston, My Family’s Robert Lindsay and EastEnders legend Anita Dobson.
Also appearing are the likes of Johnny Vegas, The Haunting of Bly Manor star T’Nia Miller and Downton Abbey‘s Robert James-Collier (who played Thomas).
Threads
Threads is regarded as one of the most harrowing pieces of television ever aired[/caption]
Threads was first aired 40 years ago and is widely regarded as one of the most terrifying programmes ever broadcast.
The war drama thrust viewers into a nightmarish reality, with an unflinching portrayal of a nuclear attack on Sheffield and the horrific years that would follow.
It made a return to BBC Four and iPlayer earlier this month.
The film focused on the lives of two families, the Kemps and the Becketts, as they tried to survive the cataclysmic aftermath of a nuclear strike.
With society collapsing and nuclear winter setting in, Threads offered no hope of salvation, but instead a grim reminder of the fragility of life and devastating effects of nuclear war.
It remains one of the most harrowing portrayals of societal breakdown ever shown on television.
Dead Set
Dead Set originally aired in 2008[/caption]
Created and written by Black Mirror scribe Charlie Brooker, Dead Set aired on Channel 4 back in 2008.
The satirical show’s premise follows a zombie outbreak during a fictitious series of Big Brother.
As a result, housemates and production staff alike are stranded within the House.
The set soon becomes a shelter from the undead dangers.
Meanwhile, the cast included Jaime Winstone, Riz Ahmed, Beth Cordingly, Chizzy Akudolu and Davina McCall.
Banshee
Action drama Banshee features The Boys actor Antony Starr[/caption]
US action drama Banshee is very much not for the faint of heart.
Originally airing from 2013 to 2016, it follows an ex-con and master thief released from prison after 15 years, who adopts the identity of a town’s incoming new sheriff.
The Boys actor Antony Starr, who plays Homelander, plays the lead character.
Writing in an online forum, a fan said: “It’s a lot of fun but over the top violent.
“Great characters, quality choreography, and generally tells a compelling story.”
The gritty show’s four seasons are available to buy in Sky Store.
From
Sci-fi horror drama From has been a big success[/caption]
Another US offering, sci-fi drama From follows a nightmarish town in which its residents are permanently trapped.
To make matters worse, they also have to deal with terrifying nocturnal creatures in the surrounding woodland.
It means all residents, regardless of when they arrived, must work together to survive.
The show bears some similarities to LOST – including the presence of director Jack Bender and actor Harold Perrineau.
On Reddit, a fan of the series wrote: “I liked it, found I got into it pretty quickly which is sometimes hard for me.
“I am hoping season 3 is ok and it doesn’t start getting stupid but will see I guess.”
Alongside Perrineau, the cast also includes Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey and Scott McCord.
The show is available to watch on Sky Sci-fi and NOW TV.
Parasyte: The Grey
Parasyte: The Grey originates from a manga series[/caption]
The cast included Jaime Winstone, Riz Ahmed, Beth Cordingly, Chizzy Akudolu and Davina McCall.
South Korean series Parasyte: The Grey is a live-action spin-off of the Manga series Parasyte.
The body-snatching sci-fi horror follows unidentified parasitic creatures that live on humans – and have the urge to kill them.
In addition, the malevolent creatures also possess the ability to use humans as hosts.
To protect society from such attacks, a police team known as “The Grey” comes together.
The show was released on Netflix in April 2024.
