Originally published December 1, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
After making a big splash in the US on cable channel Starz, Ash vs. Evil Dead has been picked up by Virgin Media for their new on-demand service, debuting on Tuesday, December 1st!
To celebrate the announcement and the airing of the show, Senior Staff Writer Scott J. Davis had the chance to see the first two episodes of the show thanks to the lovely folks at Virgin Media. Check out his report and some photos of the event below!
On a cold and wet Monday night in central London, I arrived at the suitable eerie location of The House of Detention in Farringdon, where thousands of inmates held residence for centuries and many of whom still haunt the halls even to this very day. Thankfully they took the evening off and allowed the Deadites to enjoy the surroundings instead.
As well as the first two episodes of the show debuting, both of which are superbly hilarious and blood-stained, we we were also treated to some “real-life” Deadites in amongst us as we mingled and watched the show (one of which joined me and my guest for the second), suitably lifting the mood to that of the proceedings on-screen. We were also treated to a very special museum of very cool Evil Dead props, including the infamous book of the dead, Ash’s costume and of course Bill Campbell’s Cream of Darkness Soup – some photos of the event below!
In addition, we were allowed to take part in a very cool “Chainsaw GIF” maker, which allowed us to act out our very best Ash impressions, and enjoy some very spooky pick-n-mix. The little things make all the difference!
As for the show itself, you can find Robert Kojder’s reviews for the first five episodes here but it’s safe to say that fans of the original films (remake included) and those of shows such as The Walking Dead will not be disappointed as from what we’ve seen so far, it’s going to be one hell of a ride, with season two already greenlit!
SEE ALSO: Starz renews Ash vs. Evil Dead for second season
Opening some 30 years after the events of the first three Evil Dead films, Ash vs Evil Dead sees are titular hero now older, wiser and wider. He lives in a trailer park alone and works for a local electronics store, removing himself from everything and everyone except for the employees of the store including Pablo (Ray Santiago). Soon enough though, he finds that old Book of the Dead in amongst the chaos of his trailer and recalls a drunk/drugged up evening with a local lass where the famous passages were read aloud, unleashing the Deadites once again onto the world. Cue chainsaw arm, shorn-off shotguns and blood-splatters aplenty (as well as many MANY laughs) and we are off and running.
Groovy!!
Sam Raimi, writer/director of the first three films, returns to direct the two debut episodes, which stars the returning Bruce Campbell alongside Ray Santiago (Meet The Fockers), Jill Marie Jones (Sleepy Hollow), Dana DeLorenzo (Very Harold & Kumar Christmas 3D) and Lucy Lawless (Battlestar Galactica).
Ash vs. Evil Dead starts tonight (Tuesday, December 1st) on Virgin Media’s new on-demand service. The first five episodes debut Dedember 1st, with the rest of the series released each week, bringing the show in-line with the US broadcasts.
Scott J. Davis is Senior Staff Writer at Flickering Myth and co-host & editor of The Flickering Myth Review Podcast
