It was out with the old and in with the new in with tonight’s Misfits series 4 premiere as two new characters donned the orange jumpsuits – but can you teach new dogs old tricks?

If the absence of Nathan (played by Robert Sheehan) and coming of Rudy (Joeseph Gilgun) was a shock at the start of last year’s run, then the seismic shift in cast, characters and content at the start of series 4 was a hailstorm of change. Not only were fan favorite couple Simon (Iwan Rheon) and Alisha (Antonia Thomas) missing from the line-up, but so was Kelly (Lauren Socha, whose departure was announced the same week that the actress was charged with racially aggravated assault) – leaving Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) as the only original character still present for the fourth series.

So, how do the writers of Misfits bring life to an ensemble show with a rapidly diminishing cast? Well, they bring back power dealer and Kelly’s ex-boyfriend Seth (Matthew McNulty) as a series regular and add three new characters to the mix – Jess (Karla Crome), Finn (Nathan McMullen) and Alex (Matt Stokoe).

The series 4 premiere was very much centered on the new additions to the cast, as Finn and Jess’s community service is interrupted by a mysterious man holding a briefcase of powers – opening their eyes to the supernatural and forcing them to look beyond their life of cleaning graffiti.

Though there were elements of the episode which stayed true to the show’s roots, Misfits certainly proved itself as a television institution unafraid of change. But did it work? What did you think of the new characters, and the actors that portrayed them? Do you miss Kelly, Simon, Alisha and Nathan or are you enjoying the new direction? How well do you think the writers handled the show’s dramatic change?

We want to hear all your thoughts on the series 4 premiere, so join the debate in the comments below!