Dead Like Me (2003)

When Dead Like Me aired in the US earlier this year, Variety described the show as having "the potential to be Showtime's finest series." Boasting fiercely credible performances from Mandy Patinkin and newcomer Ellen Muth, Dead Like Me follows 18-year-old dropout Georgia 'George' Lass (Muth) who dies in a freak accident during the opening scenes.

Forced by her mother (Cynthia Stevenson) to get a job, George spends her last living moments at work. During lunchbreak on her first day as a filing clerk, she is struck and instantly killed by a toilet seat (which has dislodged itself from the Mir space station).

Now deceased, George at last finds her path in life: to act as a 'reaper' directing souls to heaven and hell. Straight-talking Rube (Patinkin, Chicago Hope) keeps an eye on her, along with her other new dead pals - carefree Mason (Callum Blue, As If), steely Betty (Rebecca Gayheart, Urban Legend) and no-nonsense Roxy (Jasmine Guy).