Paula Hammond - Features EditorAlan Tudyk channels his inner Thermian in a TV series that somehow manages to straddle the line between the dark, oddball humour of Boston Legal and the wholesomeness of Mork and Mindy.
Based on the comic book by Brits Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse, Resident Alien was created for television by Chris Sheridan (Family Guy) and plays out as a comedy murder mystery/sci-fi drama. The result is a show that delivers a little bit of everything and an awful lot of heart.
After crash-landing on Earth, an alien (Tudyk) takes on the identity of a small-town Colorado doctor, Harry Vanderspeigle, in order to complete his secret mission. However, when he’s forced to deal with humanity, up close and personal, Harry is increasingly compelled to consider the possibility that humans might be worth saving after all.
Tudyk has been a voice actor in every Walt Disney Animation Studios film since Wreck-It Ralph in 2012 and he uses his talents her to great effect. In fats, those who know him as the lovable Wash in Firefly will be surprised how utterly unrecognisable he is as the titular alien—and how much genuine menace he can bring to the role when the moment is called for.
The first season of Resident Alien was the surprise hit of last year and it looks like this is a show that still has lots to give.
Resident Alien is a fun, intriguing and charming series, with absolutely no dud episodes and every actor at their peak.
