Steve Yockey is very likely a person you like, even if you don’t know it. He has created many successful TV series. As the producer of Supernatural, he revived the popular ghostly show towards its end. He injected some sass and madness into two-season murder mystery comedy/drama The Flight Attendant as executive producer and showrunner alongside Kaley Cuoco. His new creation Dead Boy Detectives combines elements from both shows and relies on renowned executive producer/director Greg Berlanti (The Flash, Arrow) to fan the flames.
This lively, light-hearted and fun sci-fi/supernatural comedy/drama drawn from DC Comics’ The Sandman Universe by Neil Gaiman is creative fire. Friendship, courage, sacrifice, commitment, supernatural powers and LGBTQ+ relationships are all covered in this series which touches many bases.
The story follows teenage ghosts Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), best friends born decades apart who solve mysteries, battle supernatural forces and outrun Death (and one trippy witch). They also make new friends along the way, wax poetic and explore potential romances. It’s as if Buffy the Vampire Slayer met Supernatural in a bar — or bed — and then … well … this was born.
Readers were introduced to Dead Boy Detectives in 1991 when writer Neil Gaiman and artists Matt Wagner and Malcolm Jones III featured them in The Sandman #25. The TV adaptation does justice to the source material; by Episode 3 you’re invested in all the whimsy presented with breakneck speed — forgive it for rushing out of the gate; it expects you to keep up — there’s fun to be had.
Edwin is a bowtie-wearing soul from the early 20th century played by Rexstrew; Charles is self-proclaimed “brawn” of duo played by Revri; they attended the same British boarding school many decades apart; met in death, and after Edwin’s stint in Hell — just watch along — outwitted The Afterlife overseer and solved a plethora of mysteries. Let’s say a demon has your memories, or a ghost is haunting you; these are your guys.
The first couple episodes have Edwin and Charles adjusting to several major changes in their daily routine. Newcomer to the group dynamic is clairvoyant Crystal (Kassius Nelson); Edwin doesn’t take a liking to her, mostly because Charles’ attention is suddenly now split between him and Claire; Claire has some wicked fun supernatural predicament to move through early on — her demonic ex has her on lock — but then she’s part of the detective team much to Edwin’s chagrin.
It creates a believable emotional triangle to build on. It even allows each of these three actors to shine in different roles, particularly Nelson, whose psychic abilities become an interesting thing to fight against. But the real fun is with the supporting and guest stars here. And also with the fun special effects, which, for once are featured with surprising restraint; this story is about the characters more than the spectacle, and that’s always a good thing.
Claire’s friend Niko (Yuyu Kitamura) comes into play as her ghostly neighbor. Niko has been possessed by what looks like a ghastly demon, and it would be a shame to ruin how all that gets sorted out. It’s one of the sillier adventures the gang goes on, and it brings the gal into what has essentially become a detective squad. Others get their moments to shine as well. Briana Cuoco (Caley’s sister) is Claire’s goth landlord/butcher who lets herself get swept up in the shenanigans happening above her shop and around town.
Speaking of… Jenn Lyon (Justified, Claws) is all camp as Esther, a bitchy witch in town who has set her sights on Edwin and Charles — who suddenly can’t really leave the area — thanks to another “townie,” the Cat King played by Lukas Gage pouring sex appeal and charm all over them. CK takes a liking to Edwin which forces Dead Boy (who isn’t used to being forced) into ruminating on something other than work.
Meanwhile, The Afterlife is kind of in shambles at present: people are dying more than ever before and there seems to be some backlog getting all these souls exactly where they need to be. Including Edwin and Charles! Enter: The Night Nurse played by Ruth Connell, who originated this role in Doom Patrol. These characters give our main group plenty enough to deal with, but the stories themselves are just as compelling.
The show plays out like an episodic procedural as seen through the lens of an ambitious teen comedy mystery series. There’s always a “case” to solve. There’s always a dilemma (or several) to work through. There’s always a clever display of supernatural VFX, and best of all there’s always some mystery that will be revealed. The show is funny too. It may come off a bit too much like Joe Cornish’s canceled Netflix series Lockwood & Co., and it can lean into YA tropes a little too hard, but it definitely rises above any complaints.
With each passing episode we learn more about the core three, and while all the characters shine, you find yourself increasingly curious as to where this series will take Edwin’s character. His story arc keeps finding him needing to figure out who he really is/was which means he has to start venturing beyond his self-imposed comfort zones— now *that’s* growth! These are characters we care about and want to root for, which only makes Dead Boy Detectives that much more fun to watch. Bottom line: No mystery here — great show; do binge!
