Zombie-themed entertainment has remained popular over the years, particularly during the 2010s, when the genre thrived on television with hits like The Walking Dead (2010-2022) and unique offerings such as Netflix’s dark comedy, The Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2018). Among these, iZombie stands out as a supernatural dramedy that aired for five seasons on the CW. Though it didn’t achieve mainstream blockbuster status, the show cultivated a dedicated fan base due to its clever humor, engaging characters, and an intriguing blend of episodic cases with overarching storylines.
(Spoilers for all five seasons below.)
The series is based on the original Vertigo comic created by writer Chris Roberson and artist Michael Allred. This comic introduced readers to Gwen Dylan, a gravedigger in Eugene, Oregon, who needed to consume brains every 30 days to maintain her memory and cognitive abilities. Accompanied by her ghostly friend from the 1960s and a were-terrier named “Spot,” Gwen navigates personal and supernatural challenges, including vampires and mummies.
For the television adaptation, creators Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright adapted the basic premise while making significant changes. The show takes place in Seattle, where an ambitious medical student named Liv Moore, played by Rose McIver, attends a boat party that turns disastrous due to an unexpected zombie outbreak caused by a contaminated energy drink and a new drug. As she tries to escape, Liv gets scratched and awakens in a body bag, now craving human brains.
Liv’s new condition forces her to end her engagement with her fiancé, Major (Robert Buckley), and distance herself from her best friend Peyton (Aly Michalka), all while keeping her zombie identity a secret. To secure a fresh supply of brains, Liv takes a job in the medical examiner’s office, where her boss, Ravi (Rahul Kohli), uncovers her true nature. Rather than being horrified, Ravi becomes intrigued and vows to research a cure, revealing his own past with the CDC’s warnings about the disastrous outbreak.
The brainy bunch
Med student Liv Moore (Rose McIver) encounters zombie life after attending an unfortunate boat party.
Ravi Chakrabarti (Rahul Kohli) becomes a crucial ally for Liv in her unconventional predicament.
Liv collaborates with Seattle Detective Clive Babineaux (Malcolm Goodwin) to solve cases, leveraging her faux psychic abilities.
Robert Buckley portrayed Liv’s former fiancé, Major Lillywhite, who faced challenges adjusting to Liv’s transformation.
Aly Michalka played Peyton Charles, Liv’s ambitious best friend and lawyer.
David Anders portrayed Blaine, Liv’s charismatic adversary who complicates her zombie existence.
The series’ central premise involves Liv inheriting the memories and traits of the deceased after consuming their brains. As she experiences flashes of the dead person’s life, Liv provides valuable insights to Detective Babineaux (Malcolm Goodwin), aiding in various investigations. For a considerable time, Clive believes Liv is psychic due to her peculiar abilities. Ravi is the first to encourage her to assist in solving a murder after a kleptomaniac Romanian call girl is killed, emphasizing that since she “ate the girl’s temporal lobe, the least she can do is help find her killer.”
Blaine (David Anders) serves as the series’ primary antagonist, having originally turned Liv into a zombie when he scratched her at the ill-fated boat party while dealing tainted Utopium. He transitions from drug dealing to supplying brains for the hungry undead, often resorting to murder to satisfy his clientele and maintain control of his business. Blaine’s blend of charm and malevolence, coupled with his complex relationship with his estranged father, adds depth to his role as a villain.
Throughout its five seasons, audiences connected with iZombie’s distinctive cast of characters and appreciated the show’s ability to balance humor with its quirky narrative. Viewers enjoyed the show’s clever writing and playful puns that included character names and episode titles. However, as the series progressed, it faced challenges with pacing and character arcs, especially in the later seasons. The finale, in particular, was critiqued for rushing through resolutions and lacking the heartfelt moments that defined earlier episodes.
Nonetheless, iZombie provided an array of memorable moments and innovative brain recipes. While revolting to discuss, the show humorously explored Liv’s culinary attempts to make brains more palatable, concocting everything from stir-fried dishes to gourmet creations aimed at high-class zombie clients. Blaine, for instance, even whipped up a gnocchi dish featuring “medulla oblongata” in a spicy sauce.
Good guys, bad guys
Liv sometimes embraced her “full-on zombie mode” when needed.
Liv’s first season romance with Lowell (Bradley James) was a poignant subplot that left audiences heartbroken.
Liv often clashed with crime lord Stacey Boss (Eddie Jemison), who oversaw a large criminal enterprise.
Notable villains included Rita (Leanne Lapp) and Vaughan du Clark (Steven Weber), a scheming father-daughter duo from Season 2.
Blaine’s effervescent henchman, Don E. (Bryce Hodgson) provided comic relief throughout the series.
The series also focused on Liv’s romantic interests, primarily highlighting her bond with Major. While Liv’s eventual love story with Major seemed inevitable, many fans favored her relationship with Lowell. An emotionally-rich character, Lowell (Bradley James) was a British musician whose dual identity as a zombie led to comedic and poignant moments. Their chemistry resonated with viewers, especially as they navigated the trials of zombie existence together. However, their story took a tragic turn when Liv discovered that bodily parts supporting their adventures came from Blaine, leading to devastating consequences.
While Lowell’s tragic end resonated with audiences, other characters found success in recurring roles. Jessica Harmon portrayed Dale Brazzio, an FBI agent turned romantic interest for Clive after being established as an antagonist. Characters like Scott E. (Bryce Hodgson) transitioned from memorable single appearances to more substantial roles down the line, showcasing the cast’s dynamic range and versatility.
You are what you eat
Liv demonstrated impressive skills at beer pong while channeling frat-boy energy from the brain she consumed.
Liv demonstrated her powers on vigilante superhero brain, tackling crime alongside her allies.
Liv showcased her performance on magician’s brain, entertaining friends with card tricks.
Liv on D&D brain shined as an exceptional dungeon master.
Liv and Ravi even went undercover to investigate a murder linked to ballroom dancing.
Throughout its run, iZombie captivated viewers, demonstrating the playful fun that accompanied its unique premise. The writers enjoyed crafting diverse scenarios for Liv’s consumption of various brains, showcasing her ability to channel different personalities seamlessly. Characters from all walks of life—whether a flamboyant shopaholic, a tortured artist, or an enthusiastic medieval history professor—were portrayed with humor and depth, providing ample material for episodic adventures.
One notable episode, “Flight of the Living Dead,” highlighted this clever premise as Liv, while solving a murder, uncovers layers of her own character through the life of her deceased friend. The underlying message to seize the day resonated deeply with her journey since the onset of her transformation, urging her to appreciate life in a way she had overlooked before her fateful encounter with a zombie outbreak.
