Although it is set in the original time period of the book, 1896, this isn’t the traditional “Dracula.” This reinvention of “Dracula” is not following the original story; instead, the show presents a unique twist that is more interesting to a modern audience.
After being resurrected in 1881 and plotting for 15 years, Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is reintroduced into London society as the wealthy American Alexander Grayson. When first appearing, he puts on a grand show of power and wealth. He has not returned in the interest of being social, but to gain revenge from the Order of the Dragon, a secret organization similar to the Knight’s Templar. He has an interesting alliance with the one who raised him from the dead.
The female characters of this show are very important and are given just as much attention as any other character. Upon locking eyes with Mina Murray (Jessica De Gouw), the reincarnation of the love who was taken from him, she becomes an obsession that threatens to get in the way of Alexander’s carefully made plans. Lady Jane (Victoria Smurfit), the first female in the Order of the Dragon, presents an interesting obstacle for Alexander to overcome from the start. Lucy Westenra (Katie McGrath), Mina’s friend, has a smaller part, and at this point, the audience is not quite sure of her role, but it seems she will have an important one as the series continues.
Then, there is Jonathan Harker (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a reporter, and those familiar with the story of “Dracula” will remember a newspaper reporter that is important; although for this version of the story, it is not quite clear what his role will be. As of right now, he has formed an alliance with Alexander. And, of course, we can’t forget about Van Helsing (Thomas Kretschmann) who appears as Mina’s professor, but will have a much bigger role as the series continues in a way that people might not expect.
The charismatic Jonathan Rhys Meyers is Dracula, and the perfect actor to bring this character back to life. He captures the character’s struggle to gain revenge while wanting to know more about the woman who looks exactly like his dead wife. Jackson-Cohen asserts himself as a struggling reporter who doesn’t know what to do about his love life at the moment. Gouw plays a headstrong character in Mina who is confused by Alexander while in love with Jonathan. All the actors step into their roles with ease.
With the music, the actors, the script and the sets, the pieces of this show create an authentic setting for this time period. Unlike most shows, the character you are designed to root for is not the good guy, but really the villain of the story. Even with being the villain, you still feel sympathy for him and what he has lost. The audience wants him to gain his vengeance against the Order of the Dragon.
An interesting twist to the story is that Dracula’s victims were once covered by the invention of Jack the Ripper. This show lives up to the hype and gets five out of five stars for its rating. I look forward to the future episodes and the show’s potential.
NBC’s “Dracula” has much in store for its audience. And remember, true love never dies.
