BBC1’s Dracula – first trailer and new pictures revealed for the horror by the creators of Sherlock

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Jonathan Harker in a snowy scene in BBC1's Dracula
(Image credit: BBC/Hartswood Films/Netflix/Robert Viglasky)

Prepare for a bloody treat... Jonathan Harker (main picture) will encounter Dracula in a snowy Transylvania

The BBC has released the first trailer for its eagerly anticipated new version of the classic Bram Stoker horror Dracula.

Danish star Claes Bang stars as Count Dracula in the BBC1 drama, which has been penned and executive produced by Sherlock writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.

“Try and stay calm… you’re doing very well,” says a smirking Dracula to a potential victim in the brief but gripping trailer (warning contains horror!). We especially like the chilling music...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC9TjMNqPEo

The BBC also released new pictures of Claes as Dracula, John Heffernan as Jonathan Harker, Dolly Wells as Sister Agatha and Joanna Scanlan as Mother Superior.

Dracula will open in 1897, with the vampire drawing up plans to mount a vicious and deadly attack on Victorian London.

Sister Agatha (Dolly Wells) with Mother Superior (Joanna Scanlan) in BBC1's Dracula

Sister Agatha (Dolly Wells) with Mother Superior (Joanna Scanlan) (Image credit: BBC/Hartswood Films/Netflix/Robert Viglasky)

Claes Bang as Dracula

New shot of Danish star Claes as the Gothic thriller's leading man (Image credit: BBC/Hartswood Films/Netflix/Robert Viglasky)

Talking about what we can expect from the three-part series, Mark and Steven previously said: “There have always been stories about great evil. What’s special about Dracula, is that Bram Stoker gave evil its own hero.”

Other key cast include former Bond girl Catherine Schell, who appeared opposite George Lazenby in 1969’s On Her Majesty Secret Service.

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Dracula first look

Previously released snap of the famous vampire (Image credit: BBC/Hartswood Films/Robert Vigla)

Filming took place at Orava Castle in Slovakia and the iconic Bray Studios in England.

Mark Gattiss previously said: “It’s seriously delightful that our new Dracula is being shot at Bray Studios – the former home of Hammer Films! This wonderfully atmospheric and legendary studio gave birth to so many famous monsters and stars – most memorably Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

“As we watch Transylvania once again rise on the sound stages of Bray, it’s amazing to be able to say that Count Dracula has finally come home.”

The horror – which consists of three feature-length episodes - will be shown on the BBC first in the UK and on Netflix outside of the UK. It's not yet been revealed when it will be screened on BBC1 - however the festive period looks a fair bet.

David Hollingsworth
David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!