User reviews

Having read other reviews, I was half expecting that I would be disappointed. However, I am glad to say that I was far from disappointed. This really has the makings of a great series. Yes, it strays far from the original and well known story, but it keeps the premise. It is this very difference that makes it great viewing. I am surprised it has not been done sooner. Full marks to the writers and producer for showing great vision. It has a great story, excellent script, fantastic settings and brilliant acting. The naysayers, need to remember that this is entertainment, and not a historical documentary/drama. I think it will appeal to a wide selection of viewers across all age ranges. I for one, look forward to watching it unfold. I recommend it highly as an hour well spent.

Have to say without reservation that I will watch both Thomas Kretschmann and Jonathan Rhys Meyers in anything they choose. I would watch them sitting and staring at a wall for an hour because I know both are talented enough to make it interesting. Pairing the two and pitting them against a shadowy shared foe should prove interesting and I'm intrigued enough to want to know more. I like the lavishness of the production value and enjoy hearing all the names familiar to the novel, though with different interpretations. The character of Renfield has certainly taken a unique twist, and oh my goodness the shining Lady Jayne definitely has some secrets, doesn't she? Throwing in Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and the magnetosphere doesn't hurt. Flashlights didn't exist, eh? Well, do vampires? Take it for what it is, an imaginative derivation of a tale that still enthralls. I for one will keep watching, and probably re-watching to catch what I miss.

Dracula has been done more times than pretty much any other story, and it's difficult to create something new in that kind of environment. Nevertheless, this incarnation, if done well, could be an incredibly compelling series, even if only to fanatics of the original. The titular character is made substantially more complex, both with a historical back-story (ala Bram Stoker's Dracula) and the incorporation of a Count of Monte Cristo-like persona into the vampire myth.

The novel Dracula was already a polyphonous one (being told through letters of various people), and by taking select bits of the original dialogue and mixing them into a more wide-scale (but interesting) context, each character is given a chance to be shown and developed in an organic way.

It's stylish, fairly atmospheric, and the dialogue is both era-appropriate and mostly lacking in clichés. Overall, it was nice to see show creators who seemed to genuinely want to do something creative rather than just going through the motions (such as in "Agents of Shield."). Who knows if Dracula will pan out well, but it's definitely worth seeing if it does.

Fantastic reimagining of a classic. Myers is such a great Dracula! Someone needs to pick up this show, the people at NBC that cancelled this show should be jailed for cancelling it in the first place. It probably won't get picked back up, but we can hope, right?

Some reviewers obviously disliked this show. Yes, there is a lot of historical sloppiness such as flashlights before the dry cell and incandescent electric bulb were invented (Google "history of flashlight"), or the use of dry ice at the opera (dry ice was invented, but not in widespread use as their was no commercial manufacturing or distribution yet), how Jonathan Rhys Myers (Dracula) can mimic an American accent (presumably without having been there) are all flaws, however these nuances shouldn't ruin the total viewing experience, and I don't think they did.

This show is a completely new approach to the Dracula story--it would seem the only thing in common with previous versions is that Dracula is a powerful vampire who shuns daylight. Other than that, pretty much everything about the story seems to be original. There are familiar characters like Renfield and Van Helsing, however in this story they are completely different than in past depictions, with totally different motives and purpose in Dracula's life.

I'll give it a couple of more episodes to see if it thumbs up or down, but it wasn't too bad for a series premiere, just a little sloppy.

UPDATE: Episode 2 Well despite the rant trying to say my facts are wrong and the writer's are correct (just Google to see for yourself), Episode 2 came forward with the same sloppiness. The storyline carried on, but the story is already getting tired. Same old Dracula where for some reason, he kills in the middle of the street, makes a bloody mess, then looks up and growls before continuing his meal. Grrrr?

An actress uses a quotation written in 2008, "The Devil you know...." Time travel? The fencing scene has the actors wearing modern, lightweight fencing masks and modern form-fitting suits... These consistent flaws aside, its been revealed (by obviously a writer of the show) that Dracula's American accent will be explained, as prequel episodes are forthcoming.

I'm not a fan of those series/movies but i admit this one is masterpiece. The main actor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) was incredible, mysterious man and unexpectedly sentimental. The whole cast was good but the script wants some amendments. The biggest problem is season 2 not exist. I don't know why producers determined to finished that too soon but it was a huge mistake.

Dracula is a story that has been done as many times as Pride and Prejudice, sometimes as a success (Bram Stoker's Dracula being a personal favourite), sometimes as a complete utter failure (Dracula 3000).

Thankfully, this version starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers is one towards the successful end of the spectrum. While most of the supporting cast are mediocre, Jonathan Harker, a character often mocked, (looking at you Keanu), here has a very different story than the original, something that was fresh and enjoyable. Oliver Jackson Cohen does a smashing job as Harker, second only to Mr. Dracul himself. Rhys Meyers plays a three-piece suit clad Dracula in this 10 episode series with grace and equal parts cunning and danger. Thomas Kretschmann as a secondary character has given Dr. Van Helsing a new outlook as well.

Overall, this is a retelling of an oft repeated story, could have been done better and yet, done better than most.

Here I was. Poised to get on a great adventure with this wonderfully creative series when some TV execs with bad taste kill the series. Loved the 1st season. Imaginative writing, great cast and acting, great reviews. What is it about TV execs that they think we only want garbage reality TV? Corporate America lacks quality in its execs and decision makers. Plenty of proof of that since the 1970's. I think corporations need to start offering these execs minimum wage salaries and if they are successful, then pay them rewarding bonuses...not the other way around. I am continuously amazed at the lack of quality, vision and creativity in corporate America, especially the TV moguls and their ever present stupidity. NBC should be ashamed of its track record in recent years. Once in a while TV puts out some decent productions, very rare.

I saw the pilot, thinking that Rhys-Meyers would keep the high standards of "The Tudors". Being a life-long lover of vampire stories, I was sorely disappointed by this new take on the classical story of the Count. Although production values are decent, the script, the dialogues and the narrative are hardly appealing to the viewer. Showing all the elements that make up a story is not equal to deprive the viewers of their involvement as co-creators of the plot. We can only hope that writers will correct this in-your-face disclosure and provide us with more hints to not being boringly certain about what is going to happen. Dracula is too complex a character to make him just a corporate tycoon looking for revenge and nothing else. It remains to be seen if mystery and true horror can redeem the show in the future.

I don't care if there is inaccurate things about this show. Or that it does not follow the typical lore of what a vamp can do etc. It is dark, it is engrossing, you feel the underlining essence of foreboding evil. Old Dracula didn't hate what he was, didn't care whom he killed. The new one is not far from that. But he wants to be a mortal man again. To have the life he had stolen when they killed his wife. But with Mina, whom he feels is his wife reborn. He doesn't just want to whisk her away as his vampire bride to Transylvania. The show is such a surprise. The cast of characters interwoven and so different from Stoker's story. Each episode doesn't rap up the story in a neat little bow by hour's end. It continues, pulling you in each time. It is a cinematic journey. I have to remind myself it's a TV show not an ongoing movie. Watch from the start or you will be lost. The lead becomes his character. Not just acts it.

I have watched the first 2 episodes of this, only because I like Jonathan Rhys Meyer. He was great in The Tudors.

I will say that this show is well done and has a higher standard than many other vampire TV shows. However, I am just sick of vampires. I could watch more if there was less blood and guts and heads being ripped off.

The acting is good and the scenery is good. We see cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages and Victorian housing. The costumes are also well done. I just can't take any more vampire violence.

If later on, I hear that this show is still going strong, I may watch it on Netflix--assuming it will be there. Watching shows that have advertising on the screen as you are watching--is another reason not to watch while it is on the network.

I was skeptical about this show as it sounded generic. "Dracula"... really? The most famous vampire ever? But half-way through the first episode I realized this show was showing some surprising depth, not to mention top notch acting, beautiful cinematography, and a solid soundtrack. All I hear from naysayers is that this isn't Dracula according to Bram Stoker. So what? Do we want that same old stuff recycled forever? Or can we just enjoy a retelling of a famous name and not get bogged down by nitpicking?

The show is compelling thus far. Let's hope it at least gets a full season. NBC is showing some signs of life with this one, hopefully they don't ax it early like is the norm these days in network television.

I just watched the first episode of Dracula. I was looking forward to a TV show utilizing the classic Dracula, I was very disappointed that so much "artistic license" was taken with the original. Dracula never used or needed an alias and was never a "good" character like those sparkling teens of Twilight. The show is just another vampire show with the classic name of Dracula stuck on top of it to suck people in. Ask yourself what is Dracula? It is a story by Bram Stoker that has seen producers, directors and writers try to improve or reinvent the original story. However the story is classic and what they don't realize is that it doesn't need that much tweaking to work, and if they change it to much then it is not Dracula but instead it is Twilight or Interview With A Vampire or a story written by series writers and not a story written by Bram Stoker.

I loved this take on Dracula. The show is different, scenic, visual with great characters and twists. I am sucked in and I am looking forward to new shows. Many have complained about the creative license of not following the true story. While I agree that is true, if I wanted to watch the same thing, I would simply re-watch Bram Stoker's Dracula or Van Helsing, which I also loved. I think people need to keep in mind this is a TV show and not a movie and in that respect I think it is top notch compared to a lot of other horror series. I love Jonathan Rhys Meyers and for those that find him attractive, I agree. No one ever said that Dracula had to be a heartthrob, but it appears that some believe he must be. Personally, I think Gary Oldman or Robert Patterson have nothing on Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the looks department, but they all have sex appeal, which I find really amusing in regards to Oldman especially. I really do hope this show continues throughout the season.

I watched the pilot for this series, and based on what I perceived to be a set of clear warning signs, dismissed it as clichéd, highly derivative, pandering trash. By chance I saw the second episode on Hulu, and then systematically watched the whole series. My revised opinion is that it's creative, intelligent, well-produced gaslamp fantasy/horror, and one or more people on the creative team are familiar with both the source material and previous "reimaginings" (good and bad), as well as with certain works of mainstream literature relating to the approximate period.

All of the flaws I perceived in the pilot carried through the entire season, but they proved to be an irrelevant background, overwhelmed by the various plot threads of intrigue, subterfuge, romance, and calculated revenge, and offering no impediment to the development of the primary characters.

If you read Dracula, The Count of Monte Cristo, and some of the more fantastic conspiracy theories about the Knights Templar, Freemasons, and Nicola Tesla, you could conceivably end up having a dream similar to this series.

The program is likely to be canceled, but is currently available on Hulu. My advice, should you decide check out the show, is to watch at least the first two or three episodes. The pilot is actually fine if you know where the story is going, but it might discourage further viewing if taken by itself. At least that was my experience.

Excellent variation on the Stoker novel. Lush sets and an even more lascivious story. Ten episodes wasn't enough for this gem. To end it on a cliffhanger was a huge mistake by the network, but NBC more often than not, gives up on unique shows.

Except the acting of Meyers and since he is the main protagonist that kinda sucks. I love the Irish Victoria Smurfit and was pleasantly surprised to see her in it and not sure the actors name who plays van Hessing but I like him as well. For a TV production I was amazed at the costumes/ settings etc looks like they didn't spare any expense in that department. I did fall asleep and can't remember what episode I was on but I'll probably revisit it tonight if I can't find anything else. So in the end I have to say it was decent because I was tired f searching for something but I don't know if I'd purposely seek this out to watch.