What do you say about a new Dracula series coming straight from the guys who brought usDownton Abbey and starring The Tudors' Jonathan Rhys Meyers as literature's most famous, sexiest—and original—vampire? You say—bloody bring it on!
The 10-part series, to be titled simply Dracula (we can't say they're not getting right to the point there), is being produced for both NBC and the UK's Sky Living, and the classic immortal vampire tale comes from the production company behind the utterly awesomeDownton Abbey, Carnival Films.
Described as "Dangerous Liaisons meets The Tudors" (it's quite fitting, really, since it starsThe Tudors' infamous King Henry VIII himself, Rhys Meyers), the story will be set in the 1890s, where, according to Deadline:
''Dracula (Meyers) arrives in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who maintains that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. In reality, he hopes to wreak revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier but falls hopelessly in love with a woman who seems to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.''
"It is a timeless tale with relevant, surprising twists and turns, with the exquisite Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the marquee role," said Universal Television Executive Vice President Bela Bajaria.
At the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Tuesday, NBC boss Robert Greenblatt said the show would be a:
"new version of the classic Bram Stoker. In the world of Twilight and True Blood and all the contemporised stories, we thought we'd go back to the original."
Michael Edelstein, president of NBC Universal international television production, said:
"We are delighted that Jonathan Rhys Meyers has chosen this project to return to television and have built an amazing team of producers behind the camera to deliver this extraordinary show. Since 1897, the story of Dracula has captivated readers and viewers alike and this sexy, updated twist on the classic also promises not to disappoint."
The head of drama over at Sky, Anna Mensah, added that:
"Dracula combines the biggest and best talent both in front of and behind the camera and will keep our customers intrigued and enthralled. With its dark, twisted and intelligent script it absolutely sets the scale, tone and ambition for future dramas on Sky Living."
While Antonia Hurford-Jones, acting director over at Sky Living, added:
"As one of the nation's most iconic literary characters, this new incarnation of Dracula feels like the perfect fit for our Sky Living audience. It's an extremely exciting time for the channel and this co-production with NBC Universal marks the start of big things to come."
Dracula will be developed by producers Tony Krantz and Colin Callender, as well as writer Cole Haddon.
We don't know about you guys, but we're excited about this project and we firmly believe that Jonathan Rhys Meyers will bring it, and has the potential to be totally hypnotic in the role of the immortal Count Dracula—not to mention dead sexy and non-sparkly.
What do you guys think of this news?
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