NBC is bringing back the old-school "Dracula," with Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the titular bloodsucker.
In a world of "Twilight"-style vampires, the network plans to revive Bram Stoker's take on Dracula. It ordered 10 episodes of the series from the producers of "Downton Abbey," Carnival Films & Television, and Flame Ventures and Playground. Production will begin this year.
The series finds Dracula posing as an American in Victorian London. Though he feigns a desire to introduce modern science, he actually seeks revenge. His plans are disrupted when he falls in love with a woman who seems to be his reincarnated wife.
"Dracula" is based on a script by co-executive producer Cole Haddon. It will be executive-produced by former president of HBO Films and Emmy winner Colin Callender (“The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby”) for Playground, Tony Krantz (“24”, “Sports Night”) for Flame Ventures, Gareth Neame ("Downton Abbey") for Carnival Films & Television, Anne Mensah for Sky, and Universal Television. Reece Pearson from Flame Ventures is also co-executive producer.
NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt announced the series at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. He worked previously with Rhys Meyers on the 2005 TV movie "Elvis," which he produced, and on Showtime's "Tudors" when he ran the cable network.
