Freakish (TV series) explained

Genre:	Horror
Creator:	Beth Szymkowski
Starring:	Leo Howard Liza Koshy Adam Hicks Aislinn Paul Meghan Rienks Melvin Gregg Tyler Chase Mary Mouser Alex Ozerov Hayes Grier Chad L. Coleman Niki DeMar
Country:	United States
Language:	English
Num Seasons:	2
Num Episodes:	20
List Episodes:	Episodes
Executive Producer:	Chris Grismer Brian Robbins Beth Szymkowski Shelley Zimmerman Matthew V. Lewis
Camera:	Single-camera
Runtime:	25 minutes
Company:	AwesomenessTV
Network:	Hulu

Freakish is an American horror television series that premiered on October 10, 2016, on Hulu. The series features several high-profile social-media stars and celebrities—including Liza Koshy, Hayes Grier, Meghan Rienks, Leo Howard, and Aislinn Paul—and focuses on a group of high-school students who are trapped inside their school when a nearby chemical plant explodes, resulting in residents and other infected students turning into mutated freaks. In July 2018, it was reported that the series had been cancelled after two seasons.

Premise

The series follows a group of students who gather for school detention on a Saturday at Kent High. Other students are on campus as well, but involved in various activities (basketball, debate prep, music, etc.). When a nearby chemical plant explodes, they must work together to find a way to survive with only limited resources and protect themselves from those who have turned into freakish zombie-like creatures as a result of the fallout.^[1]

Characters

Main

• Leo Howard as Grover Jones: a high school student who becomes a survivor at the high school after attending detention so that he can spend time with his crush, Violet Adams
• Liza Koshy as Violet Adams: a high school student who becomes a survivor in the school after getting detention for her lack of patience and tendency to lash out
• Adam Hicks as Diesel Turner: a high school student who becomes a survivor in the school after attending detention for bullying younger students
• Aislinn Paul as Natalie Callaway (season 1): a high school student who becomes a survivor in the school
• Meghan Rienks as Zoe Parker: a high school cheer captain who becomes a survivor in the school after attending detention
• Melvin Gregg as Lashawn Deveraux: a high school student who becomes a survivor in the school with his best friend, Noodle and girlfriend, Zoe
• Tyler Chase as Barrett McIntyre: a high school student who becomes a survivor in the school and has a talent for hacking and problem solving
• Hayes Grier as Noodle Nelson (season 1): Lashawn's best friend who becomes a survivor in the school after attending detention
• Niki DeMar as Sadie (season 2): a member of a secondary group of survivors who later find shelter at the school
• Saxon Sharbino as Anka Keller (season 2): a member of a secondary group of survivors who later find shelter at the school
• Jordan Calloway as Zane Hiatt (season 2): Violet's ex-boyfriend and a member of a secondary group of survivors who later find shelter at the school

Recurring

• Mary Mouser as Mary Jones (season 1)
• Alex Ozerov as Lyle (season 1)
• Chad L. Coleman as Coach (season 1)
• Chad Michael Collins as John Collins (season 1)
• Olivia Gonzales as Addy (season 1)
• Amanda Steele as Hailey (season 2)
• Jake Busey as Earl (season 2)
• Brant Daugherty as Jake (season 2)
• Tati Gabrielle as Birdie (season 2)
• Ryan McCartan as Oliver Keller (season 2)
• Joy Osmanski as Felicity (season 2)
• Arden Cho as Tonya (season 2)

Guest

• Caitlin Carver as Elise (season 2)
• Raushanah Simmons as Poe (season 2)

Episodes

Season 2 (2017)

Production

Freakish is produced by AwesomenessTV and was created by Beth Szymkowski.^[2] Hulu acquired exclusive streaming rights during production of the program.^[2] The show premiered on October 10, 2016.^[1]

Hulu renewed the series for a second season,^[3] which consisted of 10 episodes and premiered on October 18, 2017.^[4]

On July 27, 2018, it was reported that the series had been canceled due to low ratings.

Reception

Critical response

Sonia Saraiya writing for Variety called the show "a silly, lightweight half-hour, somewhere between horror thriller and teen soap" and ultimately said "The show never quite becomes interesting enough to transcend either the dully predictable beats of zombie horror or the plodding angst of young adulthood."^[5]

Neil Genzlinger for The New York Times said of the show "Here in the age of zombie TV, lots about 'Freakish' seems familiar, but with the episodes shorter than a half-hour each, the series goes down easily."^[6]

Emily Longeretta at Hollywoodlife.com described the show as "The Walking Dead meets The Breakfast Club."^[7]

On Rotten Tomatoes season 1 has 4 reviews, 3 were positive and 1 was negative.^[8]

Awards and nominations

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dugan. Christina. WATCH: Exclusive Sneak Peek at Hulu's Newest Original Horror Series Freakish. People. October 5, 2016. January 8, 2017.
2. Web site: Spangler. Todd. Hulu Acquires AwesomenessTV's 'Freakish' Horror Series. Variety. April 14, 2016. January 8, 2017.
3. Web site: Petski. Denise. Hulu's 'Freakish' Among Renewals Announced By Awesomeness At Newfronts. Deadline Hollywood. May 1, 2017. May 3, 2017.
4. Web site: Petski. Denise. Hulu Announced Season 2 Release Date for Freakish. Premiere Date. August 2, 2017. August 2, 2017.
5. Web site: Saraiya. Sonia. TV Review: 'Freakish'. Variety. October 7, 2016. January 8, 2017.
6. Web site: Genzlinger. Neil. Hold Onto Your Teeth: 2 New Shows Herald the Creepy Season. The New York Times. October 6, 2016. January 8, 2017.
7. Web site: Longeretta. Emily. 'Freakish': Everything You Need To Know About The Must-Watch Teen Horror Show. Hollywoodlife.com. October 10, 2016. January 8, 2017. October 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201012142143/https://hollywoodlife.com/2016/10/10/what-is-freakish-hulu-show-hayes-grier-liza-koshy-video/. dead.
8. Web site: Freakish: Season 1 . . 24 May 2020 .
9. Web site: 9th Annual Shorty Awards Nominees . March 12, 2017 . shortyawards.com . Sawhorse Media.