User reviews

When I saw the commercials for Being Erica I thought it would be just another stupid low budget Canadian show but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! The premise of the show is about Erica, a woman in her thirties, who has many regrets. She collides with this therapist who is very unconventional. He makes her go back in time and correct her "regrets"; each episode she corrects one. I watched it the first time because I was bored but have looked forward to each new episode ever since. I like it because it's very different. You learn so much more about the characters because you get to see them in different times. It is also funny, and I find the characters easy to relate to. The time travel stuff isn't too heavy; don't let that turn you off. I definitely say give it a try!

"Being Erica" is one of those shows clearly targeted at the "Sex and the City" audience: female-friendly, hip, nice to look at. Ho hum. But before you can click on the remote, you catch a glimpse of Erin Karpluk in the role of Erica Strange, and you're hooked. She is so natural, so lovable - she inhabits the character effortlessly. She can be wistful without being whiny, insecure but not needy. She is also a virtual chameleon who can morph into whatever situation the show's time travel premise requires.

The writing is so fresh and witty. Other Canadian shows have a tendency to be too real and mundane, utterly humourless. Being Erica is funny without trying too hard; the humour seems to flow out of normal situations and conversations, as it does in real life.

The entire premise of the show is that the audience gets behind Erica and roots for her little victories in a harsh world. And we do.

This is a hidden gem of a show that needs an audience. Someone should send a tape of the bat mitzvah episode to Ellen or Oprah. If either of them saw it, the show would surely have a champion who could help ensure its survival.

This is the first time I'm addicted to a Canadian show on a Canadian channel! It is such a great show with very interesting characters and a heart warming romantic subplot. I really like how each story centers on the fact that Erica has to go back in time to change something in the past so she can deal with something in the future differently. I really like how this show has quirky and insightful dialogue and I like how Erica is someone many people can relate too. I think many of us would have liked to change something in the past and Erica does that but, at the same time things don't always end perfectly which makes this show more realistic and interesting. This is a show where a normal person is put in an extraordinary situation but because she's a real person with real problems, she can pull it off and she does!

What can I say, form the beginning to the end, the show hits the nerve of all feeling, sometimes struggling 30+ women and men. There are few shows enough, that hit right where they have to do, like "lie to me", "firefly" or "in treatment". So what is more humanly than people, who do make a lot of comprehensible and sometimes live changing choices, but still are able to forgive and so been forgiven?! Ever changing, self critical, life affirmatively and heart warming souls like Erica Strange - clearly benefiting from Erin Karpluk - are the ones, which make life just worth living. If I wouldn't new, that this is a TV show and the characters are mastermind views of manifold daily story's, I'd just be overwhelmed and hopelessly falling in love with Erica/Erin. And by not being gay, saying, even the guys are well painted, I'm looking forward to see a lot more of this. Canada/Canadians, another 10 points to love YOU.

"Being Erica" is:

* fresh

* fun

* positively female identified (I watch out for that)

and every week's episode contains a life-affirming message that helps both Erica and potentially the audience.

The acting is superb and I wish the show was on more than once a week. Luckily CBC posts in online so you can watch repeats whenever - bless them!

Finally, "Being Erica" showcases the hard-working Canadian book publishing industry, which can only help with self-sustainability efforts.

The show gets me and I dig it, through and through!

I can imagine a young woman watching this show and saying to herself: "I'm 30-something, like Erica. I'm plain, but cute in the right light, like Erica. Why isn't MY biggest problem in life deciding which of the numerous male models that are constantly throwing themselves at me should I date?"

That issue aside, I did enjoy this show for the most part. Some of the story lines were silly, bordering on stupid. And yes, some acting and scenes were so awkwardly bad as to be cringe-worthy and difficult to get through.

But I did enjoy it, and wished there had been more seasons.

I read the last comment .. and WHAT !! This show is great..its light hearted, funny, romantic, hopeful. Erica and Ethan are just awesome.. and I'm only up to watching episode 4... I'm hooked.. And to the powers that be, you better see this show for what it is, before canceling it for what they think it isn't !!!!! oh... i love this show!!! :-) Cant you tell !! So many shows are canceled before they get to even realise their full potential... there is nothing wrong with taking the time to set the scene.....if they didn't do they then the writers would be criticised for trying to hard to cut to the chase .. and the viewer wouldn't appreciate the little moments that have been a long time coming if you know what i mean. Watch this show!! Its definitely well worth the time..

A brilliant at times and eminently watchable show at worst that airs in the U.S. on the SoapNet Channel, this is about the trials & tribulations of Erica Strange. She goes back in each episode to a time in which she wished she had done differently, it not better, aided by her therapist, Dr. Tom. What makes this work is the solid acting by everyone, especially the title character, the message that it is not too late to change things, and the fact that although it is a drama it has some light comedic elements at times. I don't want to even go into specific episodes but suffice to say that it is life affirming, if sometimes very touching. A big plus is that it is set in Toronto, showcasing the city just wonderfully. Some may dismiss this as a woman's show, but it is for everyone. Very highly recommended, look for it.

It's a good show but I have to say I liked every character better than Erica. She's the main character but I honestly couldn't stand her.

I'm grateful for Hulu because without it, I would not have accidentally stumbled upon the gem called "Being Erica".

It's got a little bit of everything you could hope for in a television show. Michael Riley is BRILLIANT, absolutely BRILLIANT in his role. I remember him in two other roles, I think. One was in "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story". If memory serves, he played her father. He also played a writer in "Her Perfect Spouse", a made-for-TV movie.

Erin Karpluk, the actress who plays Erica, makes me laugh, cry, wonder, ponder, and just mull things over.

The other actors/actresses on the show are incredibly talented as well.

The show, while maybe not different in its basic foundation, is definitely different in its presentation. Ultimately, it's about life, regrets, and how to learn from them, see for a second time around what we were blind to the first time, and hopefully, change what's within us, what we don't like about ourselves, strengthen what we love about ourselves, others, and life in general.

It's hard to watch at times, yet I can't take my eyes off of it. For the past four days, I've blazed through the only seasons they've produced: Seasons 1 and 2. I finished Season 2 about two hours ago, and I'm already going through withdrawal.

Great television should entertain in one form or another. After every episode of "Being Erica", I feel like I've just watched a feature length film that flew by only to be disappointed that I've reached the end.

The writers of this show demonstrate grace and finesse with the written word and throughout each episode, sprinkle great quotes from other famous people throughout history.

Like the end of a great book, a fantastic movie, or a inspiring play, "Being Erica" will surprise even the most critical of today's television.

After having been fired from her job, dumped by her boyfriend and collapsing from anaphylactic shock after consuming a nut-laced coffee all in the same day, 30-something Erica Strange wakes up in hospital and meets a mysterious man known only as 'Dr. Tom'.

Erica learns that he is a therapist and she has been chosen to be one of his patients -- what she doesn't know is that Dr. Tom has the ability to travel time and his 'therapy' involves sending Erica back in time to various, regretful, moments in her life to allow her the chance to gain a new perspective and learn.

Initially reluctant, Erica refuses Dr. Tom's help, but after being shamed into feeling like a big loser who can't get her life together by her family she writes a list of her life's biggest regrets and so begins her journey into what 'being Erica' really means.

I watched a handful of episodes of 'Being Erica' a few years ago and it instantly grabbed my attention with it's quirky 'Sex and the City' meets 'Quantum Leap' concept. Unfortunately, as it aired in the mornings here the UK and my schedule wasn't always consistent I didn't see it all the way through to the end, despite being hooked.

I put 'Being Erica' on my list of movies and TV shows I wanted to revisit, and now, thanks to the gift of Youtube I've spent the last week of 2018 and the first week of 2019 binge watching the entire series from beginning to end -- and let me tell you, what an ending it was! (Spoiler alert: I cried)

The promo for this show really doesn't do it justice; though incredibly quirky and comedic at times, the promo really underplays the philosophical aspect of the series and how thought-provoking and emotionally engaging it was.

A thoroughly underrated show that I highly recommend to anyone with an interest in time-travel, philosophy or metaphyics... or just anyone who has ever experienced the pain of regret.

As someone who has regretted an incredible number of life decisions, I loved the premise of this program. And I expected most of the time the character would go back to fix things and have the outcome be pretty much the same with lessons learned. However, Erica really doesn't seem to learn anything. She interferes when she shouldn't and doesn't when she should.

It's still enjoyable, but bingeing makes the redundancy obvious. But it's hard to get past the fact that every time beautiful Erica steps outside incredibly hot guys fling themselves at her even when surrounded by other gorgeous women. Now it is her program, but it's to an absurd extent. She has many short but intense relationships in 3 years and is sent into a funk when one guy says no. But probably not for long!

I watched my first episode two days ago (which was the third I think) and I enjoyed it! It is funny, contains beautiful people and MAKES YOU THINK too.

This opposed to most series lately (I know I sound like an old person) I think it's great we have a new show with a little bit more brains and serious life than most shows we've seen in the tradition of Sex and the City (which is a lot of fun! But shallow at the same time). I hope it makes people realize there's more to life than looking beautiful.

I think it's brilliant that Erica is not perfect! And the fact she wears normal clothes and is intelligent makes my boyfriend watch it with me too :) The only thing that I am confused about is the absence of the idea that whatever you change in the past, will change yourself and others and everybody's lifes.. I miss this, but I realize too it would be an unbelievable task to implement this in the show. Then maybe it's just good as it is. Recommendation!

Just came here to say the theme song was awful. Otherwise, the show was pretty good.

It's just not like any other, it begs the question yourself what would you do, what would you change and what if you could, would the outcome be any different. By your own nature yet knowing the former outcome would you take the risk to change it. I really get the show I being almost 30 years old, I wonder about my life and the choices I made to get where I am. That is why the show is great it begs just that question. If you could do your whole life over again is there anything you would change, I think almost everyone would say yes. The show in itself is a self help book, to understand yourself the choices you've made, and change the things you don't like moving forward. I only saw the 1st season but can't wait for more.

I watched this show when it first aired and again a few times. Now I went back and watched the whole show over again. First and second season were simply strong and on point with so much room to act. Season 3 starts to teeter and then 4 starts to fall off a cliff. The show is about Erica Strange and special time-traveling therapy. But season 3 and 4 is only a few time travels. I can see what they were aiming for as "develop or die" but I think they (stories, character, etc) simply stepped away from the concept but kept the same names and actors. I found myself leaving the room off and on for the last 2 seasons and rewinding. It was a great concept but it should have just kept on track for a bit longer. I suggest watch it but it won't keep your interest as much as each episode comes and goes.

This is my first review on IMDb. The time I am spending on this is my way of relaying to you all how I feel about this series altogether. When this show first premiered on the CBC (in Canada), I was at a crossroads in my life. I was having my own 'In my-30s' crisis. Little did I know when I started watching the first episode, Erica Strange was the exact same age as me. And the character was also going through her own 'mess' in life. Now, I'm a fan of fantasy, time travel, alternate realities, etc. so I was instantly hooked with the premise of this show. The therapy sessions that Erica goes through with Dr. Tom was also what I needed in my life (in an entertainment kind of way). I watched seasons 1 and 2 when they originally aired so I felt like I was going through my own personal journey with Erica. When season 3 premiered, I was too busy with life to follow it every week. Over the years, based on how I was feeling, whenever I needed an entertainment 'session', another episode of Being Erica would be my go to choice. It is now 2019, and I have finally finished the series (4 seasons with a total of 49 episodes). To say I took my time is an understatement. In a way, whenever I watched an episode I realized I was one episode closer to the end and that was something I was not looking forward to. We now live in a time where binge watching an entire series has become the norm. I can't imagine doing this with Being Erica! Each episode was special and upon reflection, therapeutic. In season 4 episode 8, '2019 Erica' visits '2011 Erica'. The irony of how I have thought about this, and it being the year that I watch this episode! Overall, my heart is heavy and that is all because of the great writers of the show and the wonderful performances by the actors who made it an emotional, sentimental, and personal journey for me. And a special kudos go to Erin Karpluk as Erica and Michael Riley as Dr. Tom. Words can not express how I feel about these two actors. The last few episodes of season 4 made my eyes water. For me, this series is the best that the CBC has ever produced.

Often you begin watching a show with an expectation that it will be interesting or entertaining, especially when it's categorized as a comedy as this is, but 'Being Erica' caught me off guard. Going in, I thought I was getting a lighthearted comedy, and to categorize this as such is a mistake, what this little treasure delivers is so much more. The main characters of Erica and Dr Tom are superbly written and perfectly acted, and the supporting cast are delightful as well. This show is so well-written and so well done, so clever in its delivery of profound insights and life lessons that they come to you first subtly and then with a resounding deep impact that leaves you better having seen it.