Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis, the creators of BBC's Sherlock, have been developing a new series based upon Bram Stoker's "Dracula" for some time and it seems that they've finally found their leading man. Claes Bang, best known for THE SQUARE and THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB, is set to play Dracula in the series which is set to premiere on BBC One in the U.K. and on Netflix everywhere else.
Consisting of three 90-minute episodes, the upcoming Dracula series will re-introduce the world to the vampire who "made evil sexy." Taking place in Translyvania in 1897, the series will find "the blood drinking Count is drawing his plans against Victorian London. And be warned: the dead travel fast." In a statement, Claes Bang said:
I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Dracula, especially when the script is in the hands of the incredible talents of Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and the team responsible for Sherlock. I’m so excited that I get to dig in to this iconic and super-interesting character. Yes he’s evil, but there’s also so much more to him, he’s charismatic, intelligent, witty and sexy. I realise that there’s a lot to live up to with all the amazing people that have played him over the years, but I feel so privileged, to be taking on this incredible character.
There have been quite a number of adaptations of Dracula since the release of the Bram Stoker novel more than a hundred years ago, but I'm willing to give Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss a chance to prove that they can do something new with the story. "It was one of those moments – who else could it be than Claes. He has it all. Brilliant, gorgeous, charismatic, lethal. Tall, dark and gruesome all at once." said Moffat, Gatiss, and executive producer Sue Vertue. Director of BBC Content and Piers Wenger added, "Hell has a new boss… and BBC One has an outstanding new leading man. To say we have lucked out with Claes would be to underestimate the supreme talents of Steven, Mark and the team at Hartswood and their knack for choosing the right actor to redefine an iconic role. Seriously exciting stuff." Production on the Dracula series is expected to begin next year. As I'm not overly familiar with Claes Bang, I'll leave it up to those of you who are, does he have the right stuff to play Dracula?