Fans of Bram Stoker’s classic novel and the expansive vampiric universe that has stemmed from it can rejoice as according to Comicbook.com, a reboot of the Van Helsing series is in the works at CBS. The series is set to be produced by Rob Doherty (Elementary, Star Trek: Voyager).
Comicbook.com reports that the new Van Helsing finally landed at CBS, following an intense bidding war between networks. As Comicbook.com notes, the initial synopsis describes the vampire series as, “a contemporary take on the monster hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, who uses his uniquely inquisitive mind working alongside his ex, relentless FBI special agent Mina Harker, to solve New York City’s most harrowing case.”
This is not the first attempt to reimagine the character Dr. Van Helsing from Bram Stoker’s classic novel. In Francis Ford Coppola’s controversial adaptation, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the vampire hunting polymath doctor was portrayed by Hollywood legend Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Two Popes). He was later re-imagined as a horror-action hero in the 2004 film Van Helsing directed by Stephen Sommers (The Adventures of Huck Finn, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) in which he was portrayed by Hugh Jackman (Deadpool & Wolverine, Les Miserables). Van Helsing’s character was later adapted for the silver screen on Syfy starting in 2016 in Van Helsing, the basis of CBS’ new reboot. While Syfy’s original series reimagined the titular character as a decedent of Abraham Van Helsing and set the series in the post-apocalyptic future, CBS’ new series will be set in New York City and will follow the character of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing himself, rather than a distant descendant.
Syfy’s Van Helsing ran for five seasons, proving the character can hold his own franchise until it was canceled in 2021 much to the disappointment of it’s passionate fanbase. While few details have been revealed as of now, including a release date and casting announcements, Doherty has established himself as the executive producer of the reboot.