David Bradley replaces John Hurt in Guillermo del Toro’s The Strain

Last Updated on July 22, 2021

It was only yesterday when we learned two things about Guillermo del Toro's upcoming series "The Strain". The first was that FX had officially placed a 13-episode first season order, and the second was that John Hurt had dropped out of the role of Professor Abraham Setrakian. Bummer, I know. Well, it didn't take long before they filled those shoes as THR reports that the cable network has announced that David Bradley (above) will replace John Hurt in the key role. I'm still trying to get over the loss of Hurt, but Bradley was certainly a solid choice and I'm excited to see his take on the character. Bradley's notable TV credits also include "Game of Thrones", "Doctor Who", "Mount Pleasant" and "The Tudors".

Bradley, who played Jack Marshall in British series "Broadchurch" and Argus Filch in the HARRY POTTER franchise, will now take on the role of Professor Abraham Setrakian. A Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the U.S. after World War II, Abraham now runs a pawn shop in Spanish Harlem. As the outbreak spreads, he may be the only one with answers—if anyone will listen.

The Strain is a high-concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

Writer/producer Carlton Cuse says, "Working with visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and the team at FX has been a dream come true for me. Guillermo’s epic, cinematic pilot for "The Strain" starts a chilling and compelling story that will upend everything you thought you knew about vampires.”

"The Strain" begins production later this month in Toronto and the series is scheduled to premiere in July of 2014 on FX.