MISFITS: The UK’s Unlikely Superheroes Land on Hulu

I’ve been hearing rumblings about Misfits for a while now. “It’s brilliant!” “You won’t be able to stop watching!” “Curse those short British TV seasons!” Unfortunately, Misfits was only (legally) available in the UK so I despaired of when I’d be able to take a look at the BAFTA-winning dramedy about an unlikely group of superheroes. Hulu to the rescue!

Beginning today, Hulu is streaming Misfits for US audiences. The first two episodes are available now with new episodes added every Monday. I screened these first two episodes last week and while I wasn’t blown away, I definitely want to see more of this cynical take on the superhero genre. On paper it reads like Heroes or No Ordinary Family: a group of regular folks are given superpowers after being in an electrical storm. In practice, though, Misfits is much grittier and realistic than the US versions of the concept.

Kelly, Nathan, Curtis, Alisha and Simon have one thing in common: they’ve all committed a crime and have all been handed out Community Service Orders. Nevertheless this doesn’t make them friends. In fact, the group couldn’t be more different. So when they find themselves working together on community service as pay back for their crimes, it doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly.

But when a freak electrical storm hits the town, strange things begin to happen to them that are way out of their control. In fact, they have no idea that they’ve actually turned into superheroes, each with a power, a power they didn’t choose or want – a power which reveals each of their deepest, darkest insecurities…

Kelly, who is paranoid about what people think of her, gains the ability to hear people’s thoughts; Simon, who has always been overlooked by everyone finds he can make himself invisible; Curtis can suddenly turn back time; anyone who touches Alisha finds themselves falling in lust with her. Only Nathan seems to have been left out, much to his annoyance.. But while they just want to finish their community service and get through the challenges of everyday teenage life – relationships, friendships, parents and sex – fate has another task in store for them.

It turns out they’re not the only ones affected by the storm. Other people have developed strange powers too. Before long, it becomes clear that the new reluctant superheroes are the only people who can do anything about it. If you think life’s tough for your average superhero, it’s even tougher when you’ve got a curfew…

Subverting the superhero genre, Misfits is a knowing take on how hard it is to be a hero in the modern, cynical world. Watch the first two episodes now on Hulu.