The Fades

About The Fades

The Fades is a British television supernatural drama which first premiered on BBC Three in 2011. The show revolves around a teenage boy named Paul who has disturbing nightmares and becomes capable of seeing 'Fades', the spirits of the dead which are unable to move on to the afterlife.

Making / Production

The series was created by Jack Thorne and was produced by Balloon Entertainment, BBC Drama Productions. Susan Hogg was the Executive Producer of the six-part series. Farren Blackburn served as the director for the majority of the episodes.

Actors

• Iain De Caestecker as Paul: A 17-year-old boy who begins to see spirits of the deceased, called ‘Fades’. He delivered an outstanding performance, giving a relatable portrayal of a teenager facing extraordinary circumstances.
• Daniel Kaluuya as Mac: Paul's best friend, an enthusiastic fan of pop culture. Daniel Kaluuya brought humor and friendliness to the role, creating an endearing character.
• Natalie Dormer as Sarah: A 'Fade' who was once a human woman. Dormer gave a nuanced performance, capturing the frustration and longing of her character well.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The Fades was originally named 'Touch' during its development stages.
• Creator Jack Thorne describes The Fades as being about "a boy who is haunted by dreams" but also "about the end of the world".
• The exterior locations were filmed in various areas of South London, England.

Awards

The series won the BAFTA (British Academy Television Award) for Best Drama Series in 2012.

Quotes

• "One minute you're worrying about what to wear to prom, the next minute you're worried about the end of the world." - Mac
• "You know you're meant to save the world, right?" - Jay

Music, Soundtrack

• "Rusty Nails" by Moderat is featured in the first episode.
• "Intro" by The xx serves as the theme song of the series.
• "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine is played in the final episode.