Based on a pair of books by late sci-fi and fantasy author Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency finds Samuel Barnett playing a detective with a strange methodology.

“He believes that everything is connected and just by living his life, wandering from place to place, he will be able to solve any mystery put in front of him,” says screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle and American Ultra), who is writing and executive-producing the series with showrunner Robert Cooper (Stargate Atlantis).

Elijah Wood costars as Dirk’s sort-of sidekick, Todd. “Todd’s an interesting character,” says Landis. “He’s honestly not gung-ho about helping Dirk do anything, much less be his assistant.”

Other characters include a billionaire’s beautiful security officer, Farah Black (Jade Eshete), and the Rowdy 3, a group of anarchist vampires. “This show is crazy!” says Landis. We’re getting that impression.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency premieres on BBC America on October 22. You can see an exclusive photo of Wood (avec pooch!) and Barnett, above.