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Crazyhead
Genre Comedy horror
Created by Howard Overman
Written byHoward Overman
Directed by
  • Al Mackay
  • Declan O'Dwyer
Starring
Composer Stuart Hancock
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producers
ProducerGareth Williams
Production locations Bristol, England
Cinematography
  • Rasmus Arrildt
  • Anna Valdez Hanks
Editors
  • Simon Reglar
  • Mark Thornton
  • David Barrett
Running time43–45 minutes
Production companyUrban Myth Films
Original release
Network
Release19 October (2016-10-19) –
23 November 2016 (2016-11-23)

Crazyhead (previously announced as Crazy Face) is a comedy horror [1] television series created by Howard Overman, [2] who also serves as an executive producer on the show with his company Urban Myth Films.

The six-part series premiered on E4 on 19 October 2016 in the United Kingdom, and internationally on 16 December 2016 on Netflix. [3] The series is filmed in Bristol [4] and is a Channel 4 and Netflix co-production.

In 2017, the show received three RTS West of England awards for Best Sound, Best Design and Best On-Screen Performance for Susie Wokoma as Raquel.

In July 2017, Wokoma confirmed that Crazyhead had been cancelled. [5] The series was later made available on Netflix in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2018. [6]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Cara Theobold as Amy, [2] an unhappy bowling alley worker who is a reluctant and rare "seer" – someone who sees demons hiding in society.
  • Susan Wokoma as Raquel Francis, [2] a socially awkward, lonely 'seer' and self made demon hunter who befriends Amy.
  • Lewis Reeves as Jake, [2] Amy's best friend from school and colleague. He has noticeable feelings for Amy but they are not mutual.
  • Arinze Kene as Tyler, [2] Raquel's brother, who shares an attraction with Amy and knows nothing of his sister's demon hunting.
  • Riann Steele as Suzanne, [2] Amy's best friend who turns into a revenant.
  • Luke Allen-Gale as Sawyer, a demon with powers and Raquel's father.
  • Tony Curran as Callum, [2] a powerful demon, disguised as Raquel's psychiatrist.
  • Charlie Archer as Harry, a demon who promised Raquel's father that he'd protect Raquel. He then later develops feelings for her.

Recurring

  • Billy Seymour as Dylan, a demon and one of Callum's henchmen.
  • Lu Corfield as Mercy, [2] a demon moonlighting as a single mother whilst aiding Callum in his plan. She killed Raquel's father, Sawyer.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions)
1"A Very Trippy Horse"Al Mackay Howard Overman19 October 2016 (2016-10-19)0.26
After being attacked by a demon only she can see, Amy is saved by Raquel, a demon hunter. From here she knows that she's not alone and isn't crazy, even though she has to see her psychiatrist Callum. Despite Raquel's quirks, Amy is desperate for her help when a demon passes on to its nearest host, Amy's best friend and roommate Suzanne. Together they need to perform an exorcism to free her, which fails and kills her.
2"A Pine Fresh Scent"Al MackayHoward Overman26 October 2016 (2016-10-26)N/A
After accidentally killing Suzanne, Amy and Raquel are forced into burying her in the forest. Upon arriving home, Raquel bumps into a man who once saved her before from demons; this man is her father and also a demon. Callum puts out a squad of demon henchmen to do his work and attack them all.
3"Shave the Cat"Al MackayHoward Overman2 November 2016 (2016-11-02)0.28
Suzanne returns from the dead as a revenant with a hunger for human flesh. Amy and Raquel take her captive and try to hide her in the country. Raquel meets Harry, a young man who seems to like her. Suzanne is captured by Callum.
4"Penguin or Cow?"Declan O'DwyerHoward Overman9 November 2016 (2016-11-09)0.30
Amy and Raquel attempt to rescue Suzanne, who is being forced to entice Amy to her location so the demons can kill her. Amy frees Suzanne but is locked in a lift with Suzanne, who is hungry. Amy feeds Suzanne her own blood, and the demons free her thinking Suzanne has killed Amy, leading Suzanne to jump out of a window with one of the demons, killing them both.
5"Downward Facing Dog"Declan O'DwyerHoward Overman16 November 2016 (2016-11-16)0.30
Raquel goes on a date with Harry, who turns out to be a demon hunter sent by Raquel's dad to protect her. However, Amy has a premonition that Harry will attack her. Amy and Jake are captured by the demons but are rescued by Harry and Raquel. Harry is shot and taken to hospital, where he is shown to be a demon in disguise and part of a plan to start the end of the world.
6"Beaver with a Chainsaw"Declan O'DwyerHoward Overman23 November 2016 (2016-11-23)0.27
Raquel is captured by the demons and held at their Halloween party, where they plan to use her to start the end of the world and open the gates of Hell. Amy and Jake attend the party, but Amy is captured. When Harry is revealed to be a demon, Raquel inadvertently opens the gates of hell, releasing the demons. However, Amy talks her down and the gate is closed. Jake is later revealed to have been possessed, but Amy conducts a successful exorcism on him. A few weeks later, Suzanne is shown to have been revived, watching Amy and Raquel from a distance as they track down the remaining demons.

Reception

The show has received generally positive reviews. The Guardian described the show as 'disturbing and excellent' as well as 'fizzy and fun.' They also praised the double act of Cara Theobold and Susan Wokoma. [7] The Daily Telegraph described the show as 'bright, punchy and [a] genuinely funny series'. [8]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10. The website's consensus reads: "A brilliantly bonkers blend of comedy and horror, Crazyhead slays thanks in large part to Cara Theobold and Susan Wokoma's dynamic chemistry." [9]

References

  1. ^ "Crazyhead, new series from Misfits creator, to debut on E4 & Netflix". Channel 4 (Press release). 9 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Goldberg, Lesley (9 May 2016). "Netflix Nabs Exorcism Comedy 'Crazy Face' From 'Misfits' Creator". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  3. ^ Christopher Hooten (9 May 2016). "Crazy Face: Misfits creator lands new E4 and Netflix drama about 'angst and exorcism'". The Independent. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  4. ^ "New E4 comedy horror CRAZYHEAD begins Weds 19th Oct". The Bottle Yard Studios. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  5. ^ Harp, Justin (18 July 2017). "It's official: E4's Crazyhead won't be back for a second series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Info Page: Crazyhead". NewOnNetflixUK. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  7. ^ Mumford, Gwilym (18 October 2016). "Crazyhead: the teen demons taking over TV". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  8. ^ Gee, Catherine (19 October 2016). "Crazyhead: bright, punchy and genuinely funny, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Crazyhead". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

External links