‘Sherlock’ creators reunite for new BBC remake of ‘Dracula’
The creators of the BBC’s Sherlock have announced their next project.
The fourth season of Sherlock aired on BBC One and Masterpiece on PBS in January and the finale has, for now, concluded the hit detective drama.
But writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss will team up again with a new version of the classic horror story Dracula.
The pair will start work soon on a series of 90-minute specials based on Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic novel.
First published in 1897, it tells the story of Dracula’s attempt to move from Transylvania to England in search of new blood to spread the undead curse.
Sherlock producer Sue Vertue will also return to produce the drama series for Sherlock production house Hartswood Films.
A senior production source revealed: “It’s early days and the BBC has not seen a script yet but they are close to signing a deal for a series of 90-minute films of Dracula.
“It’s not yet been decided if it will be historical or modern day or if there will be a US co-producer but the BBC are keen on this and it will happen. What needs to be decided is how many episodes – whether there are three or five or six or whatever but they will definitely be 90-minute films.
“Production is at least a year away so it will probably be on screen in 2019 at the earliest.”
There have been rumours already that writer Mark Gatiss, who played Holmes’ brother Mycroft in Sherlock, will play the lead role in Dracula.
However, a BBC source said: “Casting is a long way off but the feeling is he probably won’t – but you never know.”
The complete Sherlock DVD box set is available to buy on Amazon here.
The most recent version of Dracula aired in 2013, starring The Tudors actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Made by Downton Abbey producers Carnival Films, the ten-part series aired on NBC in the US and Sky Living in the UK, but was axed after just one season.