It seems that stakes and network executives can take a vampire down. NBC has cancelled the Dracula TV show after one season of 10 episodes.
NBC’s Dracula is a retelling of the classic Bram Stoker story. In London, Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is posing as an American entrepreneur while he seeks revenge on those who cursed him. He doesn’t count on falling in love with a woman (Jessica De Gouw) who looks just like his deceased wife. Others in the cast include Thomas Kretschmann, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Victoria Smurfit, Katie McGrath, and Nonso Anozie.
The show’s debut did respecatably for a Friday night show but dropped much lower in subsequent weeks. The first season averaged a 1.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 3.25 million total viewers.
Hannibal and Dracula are both produced under a unique deal that costs the network much less than other original drama series. Hannibal’s license fee is set to go down for season three so the network ultimately decided to renew that show and cancel Dracula.
It seems like Dracula’s studios could still potentially produce a second season for another outlet but there hasn’t been any news of that thus far.
What do you think? Do you think Dracula should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season? Would you follow the series to another channel or pay to see a second season?
This is horrible news. I really enjoyed this show, much more than Hannibal. Please bring back Dracula!!! I will even follow it to another channel. This isn’t the first time NBC has done this, and it probably won’t be the last. I’m getting tired of this network cancelling good TV and keeping shows that just repeat the same storyline over and over…
Someone’s comment abouty NBC having done this before reminded me of a particularly glaring example: anyone remember “Merlin”? All I knew was that NBC didn’t renew. Took awhile to find that it lived on the SyFy network. Hey, SyFY…how about picking up Dracula?
I really enjoyed this show – beautiful sets and costumes, J. Rhys-Meyers is terrific as Dracula, supporting cast all top notch. How many more stories about Hannibal Lechter are going to take up air time – after the first film, haven’t watched one of them. Love vampire genre and really appreciated some in prime time. What a mistake – after all, how many people can one watch being eaten and still tune in week after week?
LOL!
DRACULA was the best thing produced on commercial TV since perhaps SEINFELD. No dramatic series even approached it. HANNIBAL is grisly junk. ItT was canceled before and will be again. DRACULA has a huge following, with reason. It is produced by the folks who bring us DOWNTON ABBEY, with every bit as much care and the highest production values, as well as thrills and dramatic tension, and even gore for those who are addicted to it. For NBC to pull such a show–especially given that they already had a licensing deal, though, they say” not as good” as with the… Read more »
P.S. And how can they possibly know whether some/most/all of Dracula’s enormouse fan base are in their favorite “demographic”–which is itself pretty wide: 18-49?
I WISH THIS SHOW HAD NOT BEEN CANCELED. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE NETWORKS DISCRIMANATION AGAINST VIEWERS NOT IN THEIR “DEMOGRAPHIC”. OVER TWENTY YEARS AGO IN A BUSINESS CLASS WE WERE ASKED TO PREDICT THE FUTURE OF CERTAIN BUSINESS. I PREDICTED THAT PEOPLE WOULD STOP WATCHING T.V. , AND SUBSCRIPE TO THE SHOW’S THEY WANTED TO WATCH. WITH THE ADVENT OF DVD’S IT’S COMING!
So. Sad. I was looking forward to the next season, more flashbacks, more romance, more intrigue & science. I had watched it on nbc.com, so I’m sure my watching wasn’t counted for the ratings. Bummer.
I am so upset….I really loved the show…the acting the darkness and the development of the characters had me friending for more every week….what a pity just when I was impatiently waiting for the next season….NBC you guys suck….I know some other network will pick this show up and I will follow !!!
I loved this show, and I am very sad to see it go. I hope another channel will pick it up. I’m tired of all my favorite shows being cancelled. Please come back 🙁
Like Chris, I DVRd Dracula and started watching it in a “binge” in February. Turned out to be a really good show with a unique take on an old character. A LOT more appealing than those teens-in-love vamp shows out there. Really sick that a show like Hannibal gets to stay while this show gets the boot.
My husband and I LOVE this show! Rather see Hannibal cancelled and Dracula renewed! Vampires are better than sick cannibals ANY day! Why does NBC continue to shoot itself in the foot like this? The actors are fantastic. JRM played Henry the 8th on the Tudors AND a convincing Elvis. NBC was LUCKY to have signed him! Maybe it’s too high quality for NBC. HBO….HELP!!
Not the best show, but it had an interesting, dark twist to the saga and was willing to give it more time to develop. But it took too long, which may have been its downfall.
I cannot believe this show was cancelled. I hope another network picks up this show and I hope it takes off. NBC–What’s wrong with you?
loved this show. This is why I am afraid to get into a show, the network wants a commitment from me but will not give me one in return.
I LOVED it….I difantly would follow to another channel to see it.
I really really hated to see Dracula, one of my favorite tv shows cancelled. I too will follow this show if it is picked up by another network. Shame on NBC for cancelling this remarkable show which had a large and loyal audience. I never watched Hannibal and from the previews I did see, I did not like this show over Dracula. I sure hope to see Dracula rise on another network. I will be watching.
I have to say that the downfall of this show was the slow start. I DVR’d it and watched it. It was just starting to get really interesting and I thought it left you waiting and wanting more. I am sad to see good show’s leave.