Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives Season 1 Review by Ryan Balkwill

Synopsis: Two teenage ghosts work alongside a clairvoyant to solve mysteries for their supernatural clientele, until a powerful witch complicates their plans.

Season 1 of Dead Boy Detectives was okay.

Pros: I like the main trio of characters and the actors who are playing them. The series remind me like Scooby Doo at times. It embraced how creepy this series can get. Crystal was my favourite character that made me wish there was a show starring her herself. I like how blood & gore is used a lot in the series and the finale was good & it sets up surprising possibilities to look forward for season 2.

Cons: I must step away from this series for a while. It feels like all detectives shows I’ve seen. There’s too much bromance loving going on with our characters. It did get harder to stay invested with the storyline going on.   

Genre: Comedy-drama; Occult detective; Supernatural horror

Based on Dead Boy Detectives characters by Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner

Developed by Steve Yockey

Showrunners: Steve Yockey, Beth Schwartz

Starring: George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson, Briana Cuoco, Ruth Connell, Yuyu Kitamura & Jenn Lyon.

Music by Blake Neely, Murat Selçuk

Executive producers: Neil Gaiman, David Madden, Lee Toland Krieger, Jeremy Carver, Beth Schwartz, Steve Yockey, Sarah Schechter, Greg Berlanti, Leigh London Redman

Producers: Joanie Woehler, Carl Ogawa, Chris Pavoni, Kristy Lowrey, Joshua Conkel

Production location: Langley, Canada

Cinematography: Pierre Gill, Marc Laliberté, Craig Powell

Editors: Brian Wessel, Troy Takaki, Imelda Betiong

Production location: Langley, Canada

Production companies: Berlanti Productions; Ghost Octopus; DC EntertainmentWarner Bros. Television

Network: Netflix

Casts & Characters:

Main:

  • George Rexstrew as Edwin Paine, a ghost detective who was killed 1916 as a ritual sacrifice to forces of Hell
  • Jayden Revri as Charles Rowland, Edwin’s partner who died 1989 from hypothermia and internal bleeding
  • Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace, a psychic medium able to see ghosts
  • Briana Cuoco as Jenny Green, the Tongue & Tail butcher shop’s owner, who rents out rooms above her shop to Crystal and Niko
  • Ruth Connell as Night Nurse, who runs the Afterlife’s Lost and Found Department handling misplaced dead children
  • Yuyu Kitamura as Niko Sasaki, who lives across from Crystal and becomes able to see ghosts after a near-death experience.
  • Jenn Lyon as Esther Finch, an immortal witch in Port Townsend seeking revenge against the Dead Boy Detectives

Recurring:

  • David Iacono as David the Demon, who previously possessed and now stalks Crystal
  • Lukas Gage as the Cat King, who puts a spell on Edwin keeping the group in town
  • Michael Beach as Tragic Mick, a walrus cursed into a human’s body who runs a shop for magical artifacts
  • Joshua Colley as Monty, Esther’s crow familiar turned into human form
  • Max Jenkins as Kingham, a Dandelion Sprite kept in an enchanted jar
  • Caitlin Reilly as Litty, a Dandelion Sprite kept in an enchanted jar
  • Lindsey Gort as Maxine, a librarian and Jenny’s secret admirer

Notable guests:

Reprising their roles from The Sandman (2022–present):

I still recommend watching this season on Netflix.

Rating: 5 out of 10 Stars

Ryan Balkwill:

Resident TV reviewer,

Level Best Art Cafe

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *