Could a ‘Dracula’ season 2 happen? We weigh all possibilities
Tonight on NBC, we are saying farewell to a series in ‘Dracula” that came on the network with plenty of hype. This was a retelling of one of the most-iconic stories of all time, though thrown into a European setting and with a tone that felt often very much like “Mr. Selfridge”: slower paced but with a lot of promise.
However, the ratings for this series were not exactly something that most networks would want to sink their teeth into. There are a number of shows that air on The CW that draw better numbers than “Dracula” at the moment, and also had a great deal more attention. This came after the show premiered to some pretty solid numbers, but could not really build on them moving forward. One of the reasons why the numbers fell is simply because the show did not deliver what many were expecting. Rather than it being a very intense and action-packed story, it was more of a slow-moving drama about business. At times, the vampire element of it felt secondary, which is something that “Dracula” fans would’ve known going into this story as he was never a vampire that rampaged… he was a man that had deeper passions outside of drinking blood.
Is there a chance that the show could actually come back still for a second season? The nature of it as a co-production does make it a little cheaper for NBC to produce than a number of its other shows, so this is something positive for the network to think about when it comes to a renewal. Unfortunately, there are also some other problems:
1. This series was long billed as a limited event, and probably would have only been renewed with some huge numbers.
2. Some of the cast of the show have assumed that the show was going to follow this model. Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Jessica de Gouw should have no problem at all getting some more work after this.
At this point it is best to expect tonight to be the end of the story, because while it is a less expensive project for the network to produce, the ratings aren’t high enough to more than likely keep it around.
But, let’s look at the other side of the coin here for a second. How could it get renewed? There are at least a few reasons to still have a sliver of hope.
1. It could be somewhat cost-effective since not all of the production money is on NBC.
2. It may prove to have a longer shelf life, especially if people start to hear more about the show with adjusted expectations as to what it really is.
3. Finally, NBC may not have anything else in pilot season worthy of its spot. We don’t really know if “Hannibal” is going to be able to fare any better at all.
Tandy
February 18, 2014 @ 12:02 am
Common NBC PLEASE, don’t cancel it! Is a unique tv-show, is truly amazing!!
Me
February 13, 2014 @ 11:19 pm
This would suck…..I am Pissed that there was only 10 episodes….
bella
January 29, 2014 @ 9:14 am
I loved the show please dont stop it please
kim
January 29, 2014 @ 12:04 am
Definitely keep on the air. I got a subscription to hulu just so u can keep caught up on the show since I keep missing it. I pay $10 a month just to watch JUST this show. Please don’t cancel…. I think it’s worth the $ to pay to watch it whatever way I can so keep it on the air
benna
January 28, 2014 @ 1:59 pm
Please renew this series. If its possible, keep it renew to many season till the 31st century. I wanna see Dracula in the 1930s, 2014 and future 3000. Lovely to see the evolution of this story.
A slightly disappointed fan
January 28, 2014 @ 7:36 am
I would like to see a second season. That being said, the first season had problems, and unless those problems are recognized and addressed I don’t think there is much hope.
For one thing, the pacing was VERY slow. Many times it felt as if the plot was just sort of meandering and dragging itself out to reach conclusions we as an audience could clearly see coming.
For another, the tone was very different from what one would expect. If you changed Dracula’s name to something else and remove his fangs, the story would be almost no different. The vampire/Gothic flavor just isn’t there. It is ultimately a story about a business man out to destroy other business men.
Some of the most interesting aspects of the series, like Lucy being turned into a vampire, get about twenty seconds of attention, while we are left to sit through long scenes of Dracula and Renfield rehashing the particulars of their political scheme.
I’m not saying the series needs uber violence or anything. I don’t need to see Dracula throwing around super powered vampire ninjitsu. I do however want to see more Gothic flavor. I want more of Lucy as a vampire, trying to come to terms with what she is. I want more interaction between her and Dracula. I want the other vampires in the show to be more then disposal quick-kill characters.
One more thing. Dracula is a great anti-hero, but he IS still an anti-hero. Van Helsing is a psychopath, Harker is an irredeemable bastard, Mina is a twit, and that awesome female Huntress is dead…the closest thing there is to a character to root for is Lucy and now she is a monster. Even the darkest stories need a little light, ya know?
Season 2 Please!
January 27, 2014 @ 5:25 pm
There needs to be a season 2!
T
January 27, 2014 @ 5:22 am
I loved Dracula! I hope there is a season two! I’ve been hooked since the night it came out. Amazing show and great sexual content as well. Over all a great and thrilling show. It just starts to get good when the season ends. I hope NBC considers and renews the show for another season!
Camille Lynn Gazzale
January 27, 2014 @ 4:29 am
My boyfriend n I loved the show n will b very disappointed if it does not air again especially the way they left it hanging so fingers crossed there is a season 2
Leslie T
January 28, 2014 @ 10:42 pm
I would hate to see it go. I don’t know if anyone noted all the cliff hangers in the fanale, and the vaious directions could go unanswered, like lucy is now a vampire will she get Mina or Jonathan/, Is Renfield dead? what will happen to Van Helsing? Will Harker have a chance to kill Dracula? will Grayson ever be able to be out in daytime since lab was distroyed??? So many possibilites still set up for secon season this great!!! I hope they bring it back!!
BIG FAN
January 29, 2014 @ 7:08 pm
LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT! ESPECIALLY THE SUTLENESS OF SOME OF THE SCENES, PARTICULARLY THE WALTZ. DEFINITELY WARRANTS A SECOND SEASON.
Kozykatz
January 27, 2014 @ 4:18 am
There definitely needs to be a season 2. Dracula is the ONLY reason I watch NBC. The story is well written and was exactly what I expected. The entire cast is superb and JRM is the perfect Dracula, dark, dangerous and seductive. It would be a big mistake to cancel this show.
Jessie Leigh
January 27, 2014 @ 3:43 am
I absolutely love the show and I hope it comes back for another season and hopefully more. I enjoy the story line and think Jonathan Rhys Meyer portrays Dracula exceedingly well. It is my favorite show on NBC and I always have it set to record in case I’m out when it airs. Please, NBC bring us a season 2!
Dracula fan
January 27, 2014 @ 1:18 am
I am a fan of the show so there better be a second season. I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t enjoy the show.
stephanie
January 26, 2014 @ 5:12 pm
I hope the show gets renewed. It’s a fresh perspective on the whole Dracula idea. I think many people have a closed mind and forget it’s a myth, not real. Any spin can be put on it.
Pepper
January 26, 2014 @ 4:59 am
Please, please, PLEEEEEEEEEZE Lord let the undead and damned return for a second season (and third, and forth…). I absolutely love this show and the new spin on a rather well worn out subject… Vampires!!! I will be disappointed to say the least if this show is not renewed!!!
Hoping for Season 2
January 26, 2014 @ 4:28 am
I would be so disappointed if this show did not continue. I did not get into the show until I happen to catch it on at episode 6. I then quickly caught up via Hulu and was addicted! A huge problem was the day and time of the show. It should be on during the week with an earlier time to get a bigger audience! The plot was not what I expected with the title ‘Dracula’ but that is what made me continue to watch. This new perspective keeps you wondering what could possibly happen next. The take on the character is really superb and the characters are unbelievably dynamic. I really cannot wait to see what happens next. PLEASE SEASON 2.
Carly
January 26, 2014 @ 6:16 am
I agree this show should have a second season. The problem is likely the day and time it’s too late esp on Friday nights
Tajondetae
January 26, 2014 @ 4:25 am
Oh, how I loved the lot. to me it was about business, but also a well developed love story. Why can’t Dracula be the good guy that wis for a change. There should be a season 2, and Harker should join forces with Van Helsing to set out to destroy Grayson. I do think this story is worthy of a second season, and why did Rinfield have to die? Or is he? I think this story does not need to be over, but moved to a new spot. People are out on Fridays, and this made the time slot a bad one. JRM, is a great actor and I wish him all the best….but dam the sex scenes with Mina made me quiver…he can come have a second season with me…we can do more than 10 episodes too!!!.
Pepper
January 26, 2014 @ 1:55 pm
I agree… I think this show should be moved to a different day and time because the viewers that would really enjoy this more mature vampire adaptation are either out on the town, or out like a light when it comes on. I truly believe this show will continue to get better over time if given the chance. I am willing to bet the viewing numbers are a lot higher than what’s reported because people are watching the show using secondary channels days and even weeks after the show has aired. Hell, I started watching the show this past Saturday night on On Demand and I was so hooked I’ve watched the entire season… I’m sure I’m not the only one, but ratings are only counted the night the show airs. So unfair for the show!!!
N2Art
January 26, 2014 @ 1:59 am
I rather like the fact that it was slower. In fact, I stayed intrigued because it wasn’t going at lightning speed, with all action and no intellect like most shows on television now. I believe the Friday night slot was a big part of the problem. Anyone who watched the last episode couldn’t want for more action, for sure.
Krl
January 25, 2014 @ 9:58 pm
Please don’ t cancel the show. I really enjoyed it and made my Friday nights!
Impressed
January 25, 2014 @ 9:13 pm
This was one of the best written shows I’ve ever watched. The story was so solid from beginning to end. The ending of this first season was phenomenal. The set design, the acting, everything was just so well done.
mel
January 25, 2014 @ 7:51 pm
i agree tell the possibilities why it might come back instead of why it isn’t which by the way really sucks i really liked the show i recorded every friday. BRING IT BACK!!!!!! there are FANS who do like this show and i’m one of them!!
KMurdoch
January 25, 2014 @ 5:56 pm
I will be highly disappointed if there isn’t a second season. I think Friday night at 10pm was the issue here, not the show itself. If the second season does come along I think placing it on a different night would be highly beneficial. Another thing I might add is that a lot of times people don’t get introduced to a series when it first starts and by a second season fan filled viewer will have then spread the word. I hope the network gives this show one more chance to prove themselves before they make their final decision on whether or not to cancel.
Ashley
January 25, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Ummm you only listed the negative?? Is that so people would read this?
Mary Sue
January 25, 2014 @ 4:17 pm
Here are the “possibilities” of why this show DESERVES a second season. Oh wait, did I say possibilities… I meant facts and along with those, the possibilities. Spoilers Ahead, so please don’t read if you haven’t seen the finale to this awesome show. And if you do, don’t complain to me about the spoilers. You were warned.
***
1. It wasn’t cliched. They promised a new take on Dracula and they delivered. Some audiences where extremely receptive to the new avenue, others are stuck in the past. Truth be told, they gave viewers enough of the Dracula mythology to stay true to the character and at the same time offered viewers a breath of fresh air on the overall plot.
2. They gave Dracula a villain that’s bigger than himself. There’s no telling how far-reaching the Order of the Dragon is. This thing is like a hydra. Cut off one head, two grow in it’s place. Someone more ruthless than Browning and more bloodthirsty than Dracula could be the next big bad. We’d never know without a second season. HELLO!
3. Van Helsing really screwed Dracula over in the final episode and he seems to be taking up his mantel of being Drac’s arch nemesis. So imagine the rage and drama that a second season can offer?
4. Will Van Helsing join the Order of Dragon now that Browning is gone and lead their hunters on the charge to take our Dracula?
5. Will season two take place in America? Dracula’s secret is out and his enemies know who he is. Surely, he can’t stay in London pretending to be the business man, now that his invention has been destroyed. What new settings will they come up with?
6. What will happen between him and Mina, especially with a butthurt Harker on his trail?
7. JRM owns the role and is sexy as Dracula. Love his little wicked,evil smiles.
8. maybe with a new season with more episodes, more plot can be explored and more gore can be seen. I do think that showing a lot of off screen violence did hurt the show’s “horror” aspect. So maybe next season, they get a chance to learn from that mistake and show Dracula being Dracula instead of having him go off into some dark corner to kill ppl. Don’t hold back in S2.
Well, it looks like I named more “possibilities” for why it should get a second season than YOU did naming the reasons why it won’t. If NBC #nbc execs have any foresight, they’ll agree with me and the millions of other Dracula fans around the world.
ml
January 25, 2014 @ 3:42 pm
DONT END THE SHOW
Vanessa
January 27, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
Or what
maggie
January 25, 2014 @ 3:41 pm
If you ask me I think its crap if they don’t renew it. I liked the series and if you know enough about Dracula you would know that its not going to be NOT action packed. All I have to say is don’t start a good series if you cant finish it. And another thing why would I watch anything else on NBC I would never now if I would get to finish it. CRAP CRAP CRAP
Phenix
January 25, 2014 @ 12:53 pm
Absolutely is a amazing drama , can’t wait to have season two to see.
please NBC, please DON”T cancel it !!!
kate
January 25, 2014 @ 12:35 pm
It was about revenge silly people
justa fan
January 25, 2014 @ 9:22 am
A SIMPLE THING I CANT UNDERSTAND IS WHY do we need a dracula to always go on a rampage & kill inncocent . though this series was slow it was a mature enogh to portray dracula to be more realistic & social in its approach being a fan of other shows of same theme like tvd & originals this show proved to be a better in many aspects i think it deserves a chance foe 2nd season
a concerned viewer
January 25, 2014 @ 9:21 am
i would be bummed if it didnt get renewed! For NBC to get an audiance hooked on a still developing show that adds a new perspective on dracula and they cancel it would be apalling.
THEFANALISON
January 26, 2014 @ 6:26 am
Agreed!
ross
January 25, 2014 @ 8:11 am
It should be renewed it was awesome and now it is getting good
Mary Sue
January 25, 2014 @ 7:41 am
Ummmm, so where are the “possibilities” that you’re supposed to be “weighing”? Seems like you listed why it might get cancelled, but didn’t list why it could get a second season. You may want to change the title of this blog.
Dracula Fan
January 25, 2014 @ 8:06 am
You tell them Mary Sue! I totally agree with you. This blog seems to try to discredit a great series. The writer is probably a Twi-tard fan anyways and can’t give the respect that this new take on Dracula deserves.