‘Sherlock’ creators announce who’s playing Dracula in new BBC period drama

The makers of Sherlock have revealed who they’ve cast as Count Dracula in their new TV series.

British writers Steven Moffat (Doctor Who) and Mark Gatiss (The League of Gentlemenfirst announced their plans for a new version of Dracula in June 2017 and the project was officially commissioned last autumn as a co-production between BBC One and Netflix.

Originally published in 1897, Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic novel tells the story of Dracula’s attempt to move from Transylvania to England in search of new blood to spread the undead curse.

Dracula will comprise of three 90-minute episodes.

Filming is set to begin this year with 51-year-old actor Claes Bang taking on the title role.

The award-winning Danish star is best known for his roles in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, The Affair and Borgen.

Dracula writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss commented: “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. Hell has a new boss.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, 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…”

Larry Tanz, Vice President, Content Acquisition, Netflix, teased: “Claes will bring Dracula to life with chilling charm and evil elegance. With his talents and Steven and Mark’s brilliant storytelling, Netflix members around the world will love to fear this dark and complex anti-hero.”

Dracula is expected to premiere in late 2019 or early 2020 on BBC One in the UK and on Netflix in the rest of the world.

The new period drama series will be set in Transylvania in 1897 as the blood-drinking Count draws his plans against Victorian London.

The complete Sherlock DVD box set is available on Amazon.