Nina Pickering

Fictional character from the British TV series Being Human

Fictional character

Nina Pickering

Being Human character
First appearance| "Tully" (2009)
Last appearance| "The Wolf-Shaped Bullet" (2011)
Created by| Toby Whithouse
Portrayed by| Sinéad Keenan
In-universe information
Species| Werewolf
Gender| Female
Status| Deceased

Nina Pickering is a fictional character in the comedy-drama TV series Being Human, portrayed by Sinéad Keenan. Nina Pickering was a recurring character in the first two series of the show and a main character in the third series of the show. She appeared in 19 episodes of the drama.

## Television series[edit]

### Background[edit]

### Series 1[edit]

Nina was working as a nurse in a hospital when she met co-worker George, who was a werewolf.[1] They started to date. Some time later, Nina realised that her boyfriend George and his friend and co-worker Mitchell had a secret. She followed them into a cellar where George transformed into a werewolf, planning to kill the evil vampire Herrick once and for all.[2] When George killed Herrick, he accidentally scratched Nina during his transformation.[3]

### Series 2[edit]

George's scratch turned Nina into a werewolf. Nina struggled to cope with her condition, as well as seeing George kill Herrick.[3] Annie was the first person Nina turned to when she learned that she had become a werewolf. Annie helped Nina during her first transformation and stayed with her the first night, providing her with a coat.[4]

As Nina could not cope with being a werewolf; she left George and joined CenSSA, an organisation that promised to get rid of her condition once and for all. She told George about the opportunity. At first George was doubtful, but when a series of unfortunate events lead to some negative consequences in his life he decided to join Nina in going to CenSSA along with Annie to finally cure his lycanthropy.[5] George, Annie and Nina eventually figure out that the organisation couldn't keep its promises and that a lot of werewolves were killed during experiments. The trio managed to escape, but it was too late for Annie. She was sent to hell by the leader of the organisation, Kemp. Later George, Mitchell and Nina move into a new home in Barry.[6]

### Series 3[edit]

Nina and George are finally back together and are living in the same house with Mitchell who saves Annie from purgatory.[7] Annie is moving into the new house. Nina and George get on very well and soon Nina becomes pregnant.[8] Nina worries about her baby. She wonders if she and her baby will survive the monthly transformations. However, in the end everything goes well and the child survives.[6]

### Series 4[edit]

Nina's death happened between series three and four. In series four, the audience learns that Nina has been beaten to death by vampires, only a few days after her daughter Eve is born. Soon George also dies, sacrificing his life for his daughter by triggering a werewolf transformation without the influence of the moon, his last words being to entrust Eve to Annie.[9]

At the end of the series Nina is joined by her friends Annie, Mitchell, George and baby Eve in the afterlife.[10] A reunion scene with the friends is never shown on television.

## Relationships[edit]

### George Sands[edit]

Lenora Crichlow believes that George and Nina support each other a lot. Nina often pulls George back so that they both stay close to humanity and their true selves. Furthermore, Nina always listens when George says something and is looking after him.[4]

### Annie Sawyer[edit]

Lenora Crichlow says that when Nina gets to know that she has become a werewolf, Annie is the first person she turns to. Annie helps Nina through her transformation and provides her with a coat which is covering her when she wakes up.[4]

## Casting and development[edit]

Sinead Keenan played Nina

Sinead Keenan got told by her agent told her she would be auditioning for a show about a werewolf, a ghost and a vampire. She then auditioned for the show and got the role of Nina.[11] The first plan for Sinead Keenan's character Nina was to be written out of the series at the end of season one. When creator Toby Whithouse saw Keenan's and Tovey's great dynamic on set while filming he decided that the character Nina should stay.[12] Since the producers enjoyed the relationship between Nina and George very much they decided that Keenan should become a series regular within the third season.[13] Nina remained in the series for another year until Keenan decided to leave the series.[12]

## Leaving the series[edit]

In January 2012 Sinead Keenan announced on Twitter that she would not return to Being Human. She said that she had a heavy heart but also felt a little relief. For her it was a difficult decision, after having three wonderful years and one of her best in her acting career. She also said that her departure would happen off-screen since she hasn't filmed anything for series four.[14]

## Characterisation[edit]

Nina is a headstrong woman in her mid twenties.[15] Nina is tough and has her own physical and emotional baggage to deal with.[16] During her childhood Nina has been beaten up by her mother. She wonders if she can be a good mother herself.[8] Nina works as a Senior Staff nurse in the hospital in Bristol.[6]

## Reception[edit]

Mark Oakley from Den of Geek thought that Keenan had a "rather thankless role in Doctor Who", however he thinks that Keenan is much better in Being Human, lending a bit of weight to the character of Nina, who is going to have a larger role to play“ in series two.[3] According to The Daily Telegraph Nina’s relationship with George was perceived very well by fans and critics.[13] Matt Risley from IGN thinks that Sinead Keenan and Russell Tovey "bring an intimacy and humanity" to Nina's and George's relationship that "effortlessly straddles the line between horror, comedy and drama".[7] Matt Wales from IGN praises Sinead Keenan's "mesmerizingly broken performance as Nina" when the werewolf-in-waiting tries to deal with her new nature.[17]

## See also[edit]

* List of fictional werewolves

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Being Human Review". burrunjor.com. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
2. ^ Crystal Coleman (19 April 2011). "Being Human Recap: U.K. Series 1 Primer". persephonemagazine.com. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
3. ^ a b c Mark Oakley (11 January 2010). "One of the BBC's best geek shows of 2009 returns for a second outing and it's a strong, if uneven, start for Being Human series 2..." Den of Geek. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
4. ^ a b c Christina Radish (10 August 2010). "Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, Lenora Crichlow and Sinead Keenan Interview BEING HUMAN". Collider. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
5. ^ "Being Human: "Series 2, Episode 7" Review". IGN. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
6. ^ a b c Black, Joane: Being Human, Cambridge: Classic TV Press 2011, S. 248-264
7. ^ a b Matt Risley (24 January 2011). "Being Human (UK): "Lia" Review". IGN. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
8. ^ a b Mark Oakley (6 February 2011). "Being Human series 3 episode 3 review: Type 4". Den of Geek. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
9. ^ Aubry D'Arminio (26 February 2012). "'Being Human': Michael Socha, Lenora Crichlow, and Damien Molony bite into season 4". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
10. ^ Natalie Corner (6 June 2016). "Original Being Human cast to return? Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow up for reunion". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
11. ^ Michael Deacon (8 January 2010). "On the set of Being Human". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
12. ^ a b "'Being Human' Boss Toby Whithouse on Season 4 Cast Changes, Challenges and 'Doctor Who' (Q&A)". The Hollywood Reporter. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
13. ^ a b "'Being Human' Boss Toby Whithouse on Season 4 Cast Changes, Challenges and 'Doctor Who' (Q&A)". The Daily Telegraph. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
14. ^ Morgan Jeffery (9 January 2012). "Sinead Keenan: 'Being Human exit was difficult decision'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
15. ^ Matt Roush (23 July 2010). "Roush Review: Weekend Roundup (Who, Human and Mad Men)". Den of Geek. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
16. ^ Mark Oakley (17 August 2009). "Being Human: "Episode 4" Review". IGN. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
17. ^ Matt Wales (22 February 2010). "Being Human: "Series 2, Episode 1" Review". IGN. Retrieved 13 July 2017.

## External links[edit]

* Nina on the BBC Being Human website
* Nina on the BBC America website

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