The vampire series have been a captivating presence on television, sinking their fangs into the hearts of audiences and leaving an indelible mark on the medium. From the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the intriguing sensuality of True Blood, these nocturnal narratives have shaped the very essence of television storytelling.
These sagas, blending elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural, have proven to be more than mere passing fads; they have become an integral part of television history. The groundbreaking success of Buffy not only redefined the genre but also paved the way for a wave of vampire-themed shows, from the teenage angst of The Vampire Diaries to the melancholic charm of Twilight.
The impact of these productions extends beyond entertainment; it has permeated popular culture, influencing fashion, literature, and sparking discussions about social norms. These programs often serve as allegories for the human condition, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
The Vampire Diaries, which aired from 2009 to 2017, was successful due to its compelling narrative, convincing characters, and the ability to reinvent conventions within the vampire genre, leaving a lasting impact on how supernatural stories are approached on television. The plot was filled with exciting twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats episode after episode.
Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley and Nina Dobrev in The Vampire Diaries. (Source: IMDb)
The combination of romance, drama, and supernatural elements attracted a broad audience. The love triangle among the main characters, especially that of Elena, Stefan, and Damon, sparked significant interest and debate among fans. These roles were portrayed by Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder, accompanied by other talented actors such as Kat Graham, Zach Roerig, Candice Accola and Steven R. McQueen.
Legacies (2018)
Legacies is a spin-off of The Originals, which in turn is a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries. The series inherits the universe established by its predecessors, which could have attracted an already-established fan base. This time, the story focuses on a new generation of characters, including descendants of the protagonists from the previous shows.
Danielle Rose Russell in Legacies. (Source: IMDb)
In total, the series managed to stay current for four seasons, premiering its first episode in 2018 and bidding farewell to its audience in 2022. The plot follows Hope Mikaelson, who is the child of a vampire and a werewolf, and is ready to make her way in the world. Danielle Rose Russell, Aria Shahghasemi and Matthew Davis are some of the actors who star in the show.
What We Do in the Shadows (2019)
What We Do in the Shadows is a television comedy series that premiered in 2019. It is based on the 2014 film of the same name created by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. The series follows a mockumentary format and focuses on the everyday lives of four vampires sharing an apartment in Staten Island, New York.
Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry and Natasia Demetriou in What We Do in the Shadows. (Source: IMDb)
The comedic premise lies in the tension between mundane issues and the peculiarities of modern life, juxtaposed with the supernatural nature of the characters. Each vampire has their own style and personality, leading to hilarious and absurd situations. The show has been praised for its clever humor, performances, and its ability to blend comedy with elements of horror and fantasy.
Dracula (2013)
Dracula is a British-American television series from 2013 created by Cole Haddon. Despite its mixed reception, the series stood out for its fresh approach to the classic vampire narrative and for exploring the more human side of the iconic character. Although it only had one season, it made its mark as a contemporary reinterpretation of the vampire myth, adding an additional layer of complexity to Bram Stoker’s legendary character.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Dracula. (Source: IMDb)
The plot unfolds in Victorian London and follows Count Dracula, portrayed by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who arrives in the city under a false identity with the intention of seeking revenge on those who have wronged him throughout the centuries. However, during his stay, he becomes drawn to modern society and begins to fall in love with a woman who appears to be the reincarnation of his deceased wife.
Penny Dreadful (2014)
Penny Dreadful received acclaim for its rich and dark narrative, as well as the standout performances of its cast, including Josh Hartnett, Rory Kinnear and Reeve Carney. Eva Green, in particular, received recognition for her powerful portrayal. The 2014 series, created by John Logan, explored complex themes such as redemption, immortality and moral boundaries in a supernatural context.
Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett, Eva Green and Harry Treadaway in Penny Dreadful. (Source: IMDb)
The series is set in Victorian London and blends elements of horror, suspense and fantasy. It brings together famous literary characters such as Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and Dr. Jekyll, among others. The plot follows Vanessa Ives, portrayed by Eva Green, a woman with psychic abilities who becomes entangled in supernatural events and the struggle between good and evil.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)
If we talk about classics, Buffy the Vampire Slayer undoubtedly enters the list. The 1997 series not only marked a before and after in stories of this genre but also became a cultural phenomenon and left a lasting imprint on the television genre. The show received acclaim for its intelligent writing, complex characters, and the ability to subvert genre expectations, as Buffy became a feminist icon.
Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Source: IMDb)
The plot follows Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to fight against vampires, demons, and supernatural forces. Accompanied by a group of friends, including Willow (played by Alyson Hannigan) and Xander (played by Nicholas Brendon), as well as her mentor Giles (played by Anthony Stewart Head), Buffy balances the responsibilities of adolescence with her duty as the Slayer.
True Blood (2008)
True Blood, the series created by Alan Ball that aired from 2008 to 2014, is based on the book series “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” by Charlaine Harris. Set in a world where vampires have come out of the coffin and are fighting for equal rights, it is known for its combination of supernatural elements, drama and social satire. Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgård, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley and Ryan Kwanten are some of the actors who accompany the main star.
Alexander Skarsgård in True Blood. (Source: IMDb)
The plot revolves around Sookie Stackhouse, portrayed by Anna Paquin, a telepathic waitress, and her interaction with a variety of supernatural beings, including vampires, werewolves, and shifters. The show explored themes such as discrimination, diversity, and coexistence between humans and supernatural beings. Over time, it gained popularity for its bold and often provocative approach, as well as its modern and sexualized representation of vampire myths.
Hemlock Grove (2013)
Several popular actors joined forces in 2013 to bring to life Hemlock Grove, the vampire series produced by Eli Roth and created by Brian McGreevy and Lee Shipman. It is based on McGreevy’s novel of the same name, and the cast includes figures like Landon Liboiron, Bill Skarsgård, Famke Janssen and Penelope Mitchell.
Bill Skarsgård and Landon Liboiron in Hemlock Grove. (Source: IMDb)
The plot revolves around mysterious events in the town of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, where rumors of genetic experiments and supernatural beings intertwine with a series of grotesque crimes. The narrative focuses on the relationship between two young individuals, Peter Rumancek, a werewolf, and Roman Godfrey, a vampire.
The series received mixed reviews but was praised for its original approach and unusual supernatural elements. It stood out for its dark atmosphere and exploration of themes such as monstrosity and identity. Although it had three seasons, it contributed to the increasing popularity of television shows with supernatural elements in the horror and mystery genres.
Supernatural (2005)
Supernatural is a television series that aired from 2005 to 2020. Created by Eric Kripke, it follows two brothers, Sam (portrayed by Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (portrayed by Jensen Ackles), as they hunt supernatural creatures, demons, ghosts, and other malevolent beings. It was praised for its combination of horror, drama, and touches of humor. Over its fifteen seasons, it developed a loyal fan base and became one of the longest-running genre television series in history.
Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins and Jared Padalecki in Supernatural. (Source: IMDb)
The plot begins with the brothers’ search for their missing father, who is a hunter of the supernatural. As the series progresses, they face increasingly greater threats, including demonic conspiracies, cosmic beings, and apocalyptic events. The special bond between the brothers and their fight against evil forms the core of the narrative.
A Discovery of Witches (2018)
A Discovery of Witches is a television series based on Deborah Harkness’s “All Souls” trilogy of novels. It premiered in 2018 and has continued with multiple seasons. Created by Kate Brooke, the story combines elements of romance, drama, and fantasy. It has been praised for its focus on intricate plotlines, well-developed characters, and the setting that spans historical and magical locations.
Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer in A Discovery of Witches. (Source: IMDb)
The plot follows Diana Bishop (portrayed by Teresa Palmer), a historian and witch who discovers an ancient magical manuscript in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. Her encounter with the manuscript immerses her in a world of supernatural beings, including vampires and demons. Diana forms a connection with Matthew Clairmont (portrayed by Matthew Goode), a vampire geneticist, and together they face challenges involving magic, science, and the complexities of coexistence between supernatural creatures and humans.
Being Human (2011)
Being Human premiered in 2011 and is an American adaptation of the British program of the same name. The series combines elements of drama, comedy, and fantasy, focusing on the cohabitation of three housemates who are supernatural beings trying to lead normal lives. The plot follows Josh (portrayed by Sam Huntington), a werewolf; Aidan (portrayed by Sam Witwer), a vampire; and Sally (portrayed by Meaghan Rath), a ghost. Together, they try to adapt to human life while facing the unique challenges that arise from their supernatural identities.
Michael Socha, Damien Molony and Kate Bracken in Being Human. (Source: IMDb)
The show explores themes of friendship, love, and redemption as the characters strive to maintain their humanity in extraordinary circumstances. As the episodes progress, it has been praised for its balance between drama and comedy, as well as the depth of its characters and explorations of their internal struggles. Throughout its seasons, it gained followers for its refreshing approach and its ability to blend supernatural elements with everyday life in an engaging manner.
Shadowhunters (2016)
After an unsuccessful film adaptation, Shadowhunters returned in the form of a series, ready to become the favorite of many. Based on Cassandra Clare’s novels, the show aired its first episode in 2016 and follows Clary Fray (portrayed by Katherine McNamara), who discovers that she is a Shadowhunter, a human with angelic blood destined to hunt demons.
Emeraude Toubia, Katherine McNamara, Dominic Sherwood, Matthew Daddario and Alberto Rosende in Shadowhunters. (Source: IMDb)
The series presents a world of supernatural beings, including Shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, fairies, and warlocks. Clary joins a group of Shadowhunters, including Jace Herondale (portrayed by Dominic Sherwood) and Alec Lightwood (portrayed by Matthew Daddario), to fight against dark forces and uncover the secrets of her own identity.
Castlevania (2017)
Castlevania is an adult animated series based on the famous video game series by Konami. It premiered in 2017 and was created by Warren Ellis. The plot is inspired by the video game “Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse” and follows the story of Trevor Belmont (portrayed by Richard Armitage), a vampire hunter, as he battles the evil Dracula (portrayed by Graham McTavish) and other supernatural beings.
James Callis and Alejandra Reynoso in Castlevania. (Source: IMDb)
The series combines elements of action, horror, and dark fantasy. As Trevor embarks on his mission, he joins forces with other characters such as the mage Sypha Belnades and Dracula’s son, Alucard. Together, they attempt to save the region of Wallachia from Dracula’s wrath and his legions of infernal creatures. As expected, it has received praise for its animation, mature plot, and complex characters.
The Originals (2013)
After the success of TVD, The Originals arrived. The series debuted in 2013 as a spin-off of the acclaimed vampire story. This time, created by Julie Plec, the plot focuses on the original vampire family, the Mikaelsons, led by patriarch Klaus Mikaelson (portrayed by Joseph Morgan). Over time, it was praised for its focus on complex characters, unexpected plot twists, and the development of an intriguing supernatural world.
Daniel Gillies and Joseph Morgan in The Originals. (Source: IMDb)
The story begins with the Mikaelson family returning to New Orleans, the city they helped build, and finding themselves in the midst of conflicts with other supernatural creatures and vampire factions. The series explores themes of family, power, loyalty, and the constant struggle between good and evil. As the plot advances, secrets from the past are revealed, and events unfold that have significant consequences for the Mikaelsons and those around them.
Van Helsing (2016)
If there’s a classic vampire tale, it’s Van Helsing. However, in 2016, a new adaptation in series format arrived on television, being a complete reimagining of the classic horror literature character, Abraham Van Helsing. The plot follows Vanessa Van Helsing (portrayed by Kelly Overton), a descendant of the legendary vampire hunter, in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by vampires.
Laura Mennell and Hannah Cheramy in Van Helsing. (Source: IMDb)
The narrative unfolds as Vanessa wakes up from a long coma to discover that the world has been taken over by vampires and that she possesses unique abilities that could change the course of the fight against the undead. As she leads the human resistance, she faces challenges both external and internal, and her connection to the mysterious vampire mythology develops throughout the seasons.
Angel (1999)
Angel is one of the most popular TV spin-offs from the late ’90s, continuing the story of one of the iconic characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Created by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt, it focuses on the vampire with a soul, Angel (portrayed by David Boreanaz), as he seeks redemption in Los Angeles.
David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter and Glenn Quinn in Angel. (Source: IMDb)
After the events in the original series, Angel moves to Los Angeles, where he establishes a detective agency specializing in supernatural cases. Throughout the series, Angel grapples with his own internal demons while helping others confront supernatural threats and find redemption.
The plot addresses themes of redemption, morality, and the constant struggle between good and evil. The show was praised for its character development, exciting plot twists, and its ability to explore the darkness and light within supernatural characters. Despite its conclusion in 2004, it left a lasting impact on vampire genre fans and is still remembered as an important part of the “Buffyverse”.
