Misfits - Episode 4.1 review

Overall, Series 4's premiere was a massive disappointment and did a poor job on all counts.

The superheroes are back, although devotees will miss Alisha and Simon who departed at the end of the last series. Newcomers are likely to be utterly befuddled - as are the new Misfits: doe-eyed, moody Jess and motor-mouthed Finn. They turn up for their first day of community service clad in the obligatory orange jumpsuits and in possession of the requisite superpowers. Posing as their probation officer, fellow young offender Rudy (the fabulously frenzied Joe Gilgun) soon drags them into the deep end. Prepare for power tools, mind-bending flashbacks and fruity language.

Wholesale cast overhauls can be difficult at the best of times, and this opener to series four suggests that Misfits hasn't recovered its poise yet after the departures of Kelly, Simon and Alisha. Curtis and Rudy remain, along with honorary Misfit Seth, to fight over a mysterious suitcase brought into their midst by a delirious lunatic. Timing their arrival less than perfectly are new recruits Jess (Karla Crome from Hit & Miss) and Finn (newcomer Nathan McMullen), both sullenly drawn into the intrigue as alliances are formed and then severed. It has its moments (largely thanks to Joe Gilgun's Rudy), but mostly amounts to a slightly lacklustre take on the failed-heist fallout, with the excellent Crome something of a spare part for now. Surely there's too much talent on- and off-screen for Misfits to lose its way entirely, but this is a problematic reinvention so far.

The first episode of the fourth series of Misfits welcomes in new tearaways Finn and Jess, in place of alumni Kelly, Alisha and Simon.

After a meeting with a familiar face and a run-in with a mysterious man with a briefcase, the newcomers soon discover that there is a lot more to donning the orange overalls than they think.

From the moment loud-mouthed-lout-with-a-dark-side Finn cracks a joke about his mother in extremely bad taste to the pitch-dark closing moments, it's a riot; with Nathan McMullen proving he can be just as feisty as the existing characters in his role as Finn.

On the other hand, Karla Crome's Jess might be the weakest link, with her style of acting - probably intended as deadpan - coming across instead as just irritating.

Overall, while there is plenty for those new to the show to sink their teeth into (Joseph Gilgun's always-hilarious Rudy) there are tidbits for stalwart fans too, including grisly violence, expletive-laden dialogue and a reference to the gang's preferred choice of ice-cream. Bring on the rest of the series.

Misfits - Series 4 preview

A fourth series sees a badger cull of probationers with special powers.

Shaun Dooley on playing 'a complete sociopath'

The former EastEnders actor discusses playing probation worker Greg in series four - and his repeated failed attempts to get a role in Game of Thrones.

Misfits: Series 4 Episode 1 review

Misfits has, to quote Rudy, 'New powers, a hint of sexual possibility, tears, laughter, horribly graphic violence...'. In other words, everything it had before and everything we loved about it. The cast may have changed considerably, but good news: the brilliance of the show hasn't.

It's a testing time for the super-powered community-service caper as the fourth series kicks off. It's survived the departure of a key player before, when subbing Joe Gilgun for Robert Sheehan proved a masterstroke. But with no less than three of the original cast, including Iwan Rheon's Simon, gone this time round, can it still cast its spell? With Karla Crome (so good in BBC2's Murder) among the newcomers, it's got a fighting chance.

Misfits by Mike O'Leary book review

The highest complement you can pay to this hardback Misfits annual-in-all-but-name is that it feels like a book the gang might have created.

The Bafta-winning Asbo superhero comedy drama returns for a fourth series, and two newbies are joining the community service gang - Jess (Karla Crome) and Finn (Nathan McMullen). Tonight's opening episode sees a dying man with a briefcase stuffed with cash stagger into the community centre. His presence releases an orgy of greed amongst the gang, and there's a new probation worker in town, played by Shaun Dooley.