It’s been over a decade since the North American version of Being Human wrapped up its run on Syfy. Most people remember it as the "other" show—the remake of the BBC original that shouldn't have worked but somehow did. By the time we hit Being Human Season 4, things got weird. Really weird. We’re talking about a show that started as a "vampire, werewolf, and ghost share a house" sitcom-drama and ended as a high-stakes, time-warping, soul-searching epic. Honestly, it's one of the few shows from that era of cable TV that actually stuck the landing.
The Fourth Season was the end. Everyone knew it. Usually, when a show gets canceled or decides to call it quits, the writers panic. They throw everything at the wall. They try to resolve romances that don't make sense or kill off characters for cheap shock value. But showrunner Anna Fricke did something different with this final stretch. She leaned into the domesticity of the characters while dialing the supernatural horror up to eleven. It felt earned.
The Messy Reality of Being Human Season 4
If you haven't watched it in a while, the plot of the fourth season is a lot to juggle. You've got Aidan (Sam Witwer) dealing with a literal "daughter" from his past, Josh (Sam Huntington) stuck in his wolf form, and Sally (Meaghan Rath) basically becoming a master of time and space. Oh, and Nora (Kristen Hager) is just trying to keep the house from burning down. It sounds like a mess. On paper, it is a mess. But the magic of Being Human Season 4 was always in the chemistry between those four actors.
You really felt the weight of their history. By this point, they weren't just roommates; they were a trauma-bonded family. That’s why the season works. It’s not about the monsters. It’s about the fact that no matter how many ancient vampires or demonic entities try to kill them, they still have to figure out who is doing the dishes.
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The Sally Problem (And Solution)
Sally’s arc in the final season is arguably the most complex. In the original British version, the ghost's journey is quite different, but the US version gave Meaghan Rath so much more to do. She wasn't just hovering in the background anymore. She was jumping through time, seeing alternate realities where things went horribly wrong.
These "flash-sideways" or "alternate timeline" episodes are usually the "Jump the Shark" moment for sci-fi shows. Remember Lost? People are still arguing about that. But in the final season of Being Human, the time-traveling served a specific purpose: it showed us that even in a "perfect" world where they weren't monsters, these characters were still drawn to each other. It proved their bond wasn't just a byproduct of their curses. It was soul-deep.
Why the Ending Actually Satisfied Fans
Most supernatural dramas end in a bloodbath. Everyone dies, or everyone becomes human and forgets everything. Being Human Season 4 took a middle path. It acknowledged that being human isn't a destination; it's a choice you make every day.
- Aidan’s ending was tragic but poetic. He lived for centuries and finally got to die on his own terms.
- Josh and Nora got the "normal" life they craved, but it was tinted with the scars of what they'd been through.
- Sally’s sacrifice felt like a natural evolution of her character’s growth from a victim to a protector.
The final scene—the dream sequence in the diner—remains one of the most debated parts of the show. Was it a literal afterlife? A hallucination? Most fans agree it was a representation of the peace they finally earned. It was a bold choice to end a horror-tinged show on a note of pure, unadulterated warmth.
Comparing the US and UK Finales
People love to compare the two versions. The BBC original is grittier, shorter, and much more cynical. The US version, especially in the final season, leaned harder into the "found family" trope. While the UK version felt like a commentary on the cyclical nature of evil, the US version felt like a story about recovery.
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If you look at the viewership numbers from 2014, the show was still pulling in a decent audience for Syfy, but the creators chose to end it because they felt the story was told. That’s rare. Usually, networks milk a series until it’s a husk of its former self (looking at you, Supernatural). By ending with Being Human Season 4, the legacy of the show remained intact. It didn't overstay its welcome.
The Production Hurdles You Didn't See
It wasn't all smooth sailing. Behind the scenes, the budget for the final season was tighter than ever. If you look closely at some of the sets, you can see where they had to get creative. They reused locations, relied heavily on lighting rather than expensive CGI, and focused on tight, dialogue-heavy scenes.
Sam Witwer has mentioned in various interviews and convention panels that the cast was incredibly involved in the writing process by the end. They knew these characters better than anyone. That's why the dialogue feels so natural. When Josh and Aidan are bickering in the kitchen, it doesn't feel like a script. It feels like two guys who have spent four years in a basement together.
The Legacy of the Fourth Season
So, why does Being Human Season 4 still matter? Why are people still streaming it on platforms like AMC+ or buying the Blu-rays?
Because it treated its audience like adults. It didn't shy away from the fact that these people were killers. Aidan had murdered hundreds. Josh had ripped people apart. The show asked: "Can you ever truly be redeemed?" It didn't give a simple "yes" or "no." It showed the work. It showed that redemption is a grueling, daily process that usually ends in sacrifice.
How to Revisit the Series Today
If you’re planning a rewatch or checking it out for the first time, don’t just rush to the finale. The beauty is in the slow burn.
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- Watch the "alternate timeline" episodes back-to-back. They hold a lot of foreshadowing for the series finale that you might miss on a casual viewing.
- Pay attention to the color palette. Notice how the show gets warmer and more "human" in its lighting as it approaches the end, contrasting with the cold, blue hues of the earlier seasons.
- Listen to the score. The music in the final season is hauntingly beautiful and uses motifs from the very first episode to bring the story full circle.
The show is a masterclass in how to adapt international content for a domestic audience without losing the soul of the original. It took a British concept and infused it with American sensibilities about second chances and the "American Dream"—even if that dream is just being able to eat a burger without wanting to kill the waiter.
Final Thoughts on the Human Experience
The final episodes of the series aren't just about monsters. They are a reflection on aging, loss, and the inevitability of change. When Aidan looks in the mirror and sees his own mortality, it’s not just a plot point for a vampire. It’s a metaphor for all of us realizing our time is limited.
Being Human Season 4 remains a high-water mark for 2010s genre television. It was smart, it was emotional, and it wasn't afraid to be messy. If you're looking for a show that respects your intelligence and your heart, this final season is where you'll find it.
To get the most out of the experience, start by revisiting the Season 3 finale to remind yourself just how high the stakes were before the final chapter began. Then, watch the Season 4 premiere with an eye on the subtle shifts in the characters' power dynamics—specifically how Nora becomes the grounding force for the entire household. It changes the way you see the rest of the series.