The Umbrella Academy Review: 7 Ups & 2 Downs

5. Robert Sheehan

Though his work in films so far hasn't quite lived up to his early promise (GeoStorm in particular is a travesty and his accent in it is a nightmare), Robert Sheehan was brilliant in Misfits and the similarities between that story of unconventional weirdo superheroes and this one are impossible to ignore.

Perhaps that's why Sheehan's performance here is so great. He knows this material broadly and he's entirely suited to it, to the extent that both of his characters have powers relating to the subversion of death's totality. There, he was immortal, here - as The Seance - he can communicate with the dead.

The Seance is the most deliciously subversive character (at least in terms of attitude) - the show's cynical answer to a Wolverine type, perpetually unhappy with his lot - and Sheehan has channelled the best of Johnny Depp's rock star swagger for Captain Sparrow in a way that Depp wasn't even managing last time out. He's eminently watchable and if he doesn't have a baying fanbase who want to jump him - neon underpants and all - then it will be hugely surprising.