iZombie

Malcom Goodwin, Rose McIver, Robert Buckley, Rahul Kohli

iZombie aired on The CW from 2015 to 2019. The series, created by Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars, Party Down) and Diane Ruggierro-Wright (Veronica Mars), is based on the comic book series of the same name by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred.

Based in Seattle where I reside but filmed in Vancouver, British Colombia, iZombie follows Olivia "Liv" Moore (played by Rose McIver), a medical resident who becomes a zombie after attending a party that turns into a massacre. Liv discovers that she must consume brains in order to maintain her humanity and avoid becoming a mindless zombie. She keeps this secret from family and friends and upends her relationship with Major, her fiancée.

“Bachelor playboy” Liv

As a result, she takes a job at the morgue where she has access to a steady supply of brains. However, each brain she eats gives her the memories and personality traits of the deceased, which she uses to help solve murders alongside her boss Ravi (played by Rahul Kohli) and detective Clive (played by Malcolm Goodwin). It is not only both delightful and hilarious the ways that she consumes the brains, but the characters she becomes. The personality traits can be an asset and/or a hinderance.

This series progressed over the seasons and the many storylines converged in the fifth and final season. Although the series finale was satisfying I would have loved just one more to wrap it all up.

The series received positive reviews for its unique and fresh take on the zombie genre, as well as its blend of humor and drama. McIver's performance as Liv was also highly praised for her ability to switch between different personalities and accents based on the brains she consumed. All of the supporting characters are endearing, interesting, and can be funny as hell.

Over its 5 seasons it has earned 7 awards, with 21 more nominations. "iZombie" is an entertaining and engaging series that offers a fresh take on the zombie genre. Its blend of humor, drama, and mystery make it a show that can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences, and the strong performances from the cast make it a must-watch for fans of supernatural/science fiction/comedy television shows. I will be revisiting for a third time in the near future. Available to stream Netflix.

In Retrospect ★★★★★