WORKING LUNCH! "THE BOOTH AT THE END"

Man or monster? Xander Berkeley works from THE BOOTH AT THE END. Image: FX.

One of the nice things about going through the weighty TV magazine guides at Christmas time in search of good programming is the rare, occasional chance to discover a promising series coming soon that you never previously knew about. One such example, showing over five nights on the UK's FX HD channel, is THE BOOTH AT THE END (airing from Boxing Day). Sounding like an intriguing anthology show/TWILIGHT ZONE-esque morality play mixed with fantasy and the supernatural, this mini series sees the excellent character actor Xander Berkeley (probably best known as the ambitious and seedy baddie Percy in NIKITA, the manipulative but heroic George Mason in 24 and a really nasty turncoat Presidential protection agent betraying Harrison Ford in AIR FORCE ONE) portraying a mysterious figure known only as The Man, who, working from the back of a diner, has the incredible ability to grant flawed and desperate individuals their greatest desires.

But what's the catch?

Trailer: The Booth at the End - Trailer.flv - YouTube

Originally created as a web series in 2010 by rising star Christopher Kubasik, and directed by Jessica Landaw, with a guest cast that includes Berkeley's real-life wife, Sarah Clarke (who also played Jack Bauer's nemesis/ex-lover Nina in 24), THE BOOTH AT THE END looks both intriguing, menacing and subtly atmospheric. Certainly, American webisode series, despite their low budgets, are now starting to attract high calibre talent in front of and behind the cameras, in part due to the creativity of the storytelling compared to a lot of the trash airing on mainstream channels. This relatively new mediums soar in popularity beyond the Internet now adds credibility and esteem to buyers like FX, whose faith in and enthusiasm for showing the series at this important time in the TV viewing calender shouldn't be under-estimated.

And besides, who doesn't like seeing creepy things going on at Christmas!