2020’sDraculaminiseries is a totally fresh reimagining of Bram Stoker’s original novel, making several huge changes from the book and giving the narrative an entirely different subtext. The project was fairly polarizing upon its release, but in the years since, audiences have begun to appreciate this series for its bold vision and clear storytelling voice. While other Dracula-inspired projects likeNosferatuhave been huge box office hitsthanks to their loyalty to the original text, 2020’sDraculais arguably a riskier and braver adaptation that isn’t afraid to take some liberties with the story.
TheDraculaminiseries comes fromDoctor Whowriters Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss,who bring their own witty creativity to this original script. The pair made a name for themselves on the BBC’s iconic sci-fi drama, with Moffat serving as head writer between 2010 and 2017.This adaptation ofDraculastars John Heffernan as Jonathan Harker, with Morfydd Clark playing his wife Mina Harker and Claes Bang offering a dramatic turn as the titular vampire.
Netflix’s Dracula Is Even Less Like Bram Stoker’s Story Than Nosferatu
The Dracula Miniseries Makes Several Major Changes To The Story
Netflix’sDraculais much more interested in creating a gothic atmosphere and keeping the audience on their toes than staying true to Stoker’s book, which comes with both pros and cons. Whileit’s exciting to see a version ofDraculathat’s totally unpredictable with new plot points and original characters,it also misses out on much of Stoker’s allegorical storytelling from the original source material.Nosferatumakes several changes from the book too, but these feel more comprehensible since it’s not really intended to be an adaptation of Stoker’s work.
Nosferatu Improved On A Tired Dracula Trope Dating Back 45 Years
Robert Eggers' Nosferatu movie has ignited a fresh conversation about the vampire mythos, departing from romanticized cinematic portrayals.
The biggest change in Netflix’sDraculais the object of the vampire’s desires:In the book, it’s Mina Harker that Dracula falls in love with and tries to convert, but in Moffat and Gatiss' series, it’s her husband Jonathan. This version of Dracula doesn’t seem remotely interested in Mina but rather spends the majority of the show looking to bring Jonathan back from the dead — another major change from Stoker’s book.
Why Nosferatu & Netflix’s Dracula Changed The Bram Stoker Story
They’re Very Different Takes On The Dracula Tale
Draculahas been adapted for the screen countless times over the past century, so it’s not surprising that recent versions of the story have resorted to tweaking the source text in order to stand out from the crowd. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and F. W. Murnau have already created some almost-perfect adaptations of the book, so there’s no point in trying to improve on them. Instead, these versions offer a new perspective on the book that alters the subtext and allows audiences to view the timeless story in a new light.
Dracula
Cast
Dracula (2020) is a reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s classic novel, co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Starring Claes Bang as the titular Count Dracula, the series explores the legendary vampire’s battles with the descendants of Van Helsing and his dark journey from Transylvania to London. The three-episode series examines both the historical and contemporary influences of Dracula’s enduring legacy.
