Those who keep an eye on television news from the States may have noted that Fox has already recommissioned the show for a second season after just a handful of episodes have been broadcast. And it’s not hard to see why.

Right from the off, Sleepy Hollow is quite different to most televisual offerings at the moment. Taking a leaf out of the Once Upon A Time book, this regeneration delves deeply into the realms of fantasy, and makes no apologies for it. This updated version sees Ichabod Crane die in battle during a mission for George Washington after decapitating the Headless Horseman (or just Horseman, as he was probably known).

But he’s brought back to life (by magic it would seem) and finds himself in modern day Sleepy Hollow in New York state, having to deal with the local law enforcers who reckon he’s responsible for a rather nasty killing. But, of course, Ichabod is not the guilty man and just as he returned from the dead so has his old adversary, the Headless Horseman.

Tom Mison (Lost in Austen, Parade’s End) does a fine job of playing Ichabod – instantly likeable, not to mention handsome – and spars well with the disbelieving yet believing police officer, Lt. Abbie Mills. Played by relative unknown Nicole Beharie (she popped up in a couple of episode of The Good Wife), the actress also performs perfectly for the pitch of the show.

Without damming it, Sleepy Hollow is daft fun; very silly, but very fun. It knows exactly what it’s doing and does it very well with a sense of the knowing absurd. The idea of a man coming back to life, in the way Ichabod does, isn’t really broached seriously, and the fact that he wanders around in his ancient garb is not even blinked at. Gritty and real, this is not.

This frivolity may prove a sticking point for some, but it’s so delightfully over-the-top, almost in an ‘80s style, and delivered appropriately that it would be churlish not to get in on the act and enjoy. There’s even a few hints of season arcs and other mysteries from the past (bleeding into the future) and some clever notions as to what the Headless Horseman is to keep the old brain occupied too.

It’s a bold start and if you’re willing to ride the fun then Sleepy Hollow may well become you’re new favourite show.

Airs at 9pm on Wednesdays from 9 October 2013 on Universal Channel.

> Buy Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow movie on DVD on Amazon.

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