James Moran – writer for both Doctor Who and Torchwood – has written and directed a new adaptation of Dracula.
Moran’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic story will debut on the web in September, titled ‘Mina Murray’s Journal’. Fashioned for a new audience, the source material is deservedly getting more attention. After all, as is custom with modern retellings of classic works: the digital age is a major player in storytelling.
According to the film’s official website, Moran filmed his Dracula adaptation through the modern sensation of ‘vlogging’. This way of filmmaking will make the horror all the more intense and personalise the characters as if fans are encountering Dracula themselves. While it has some scary moments the series will have plenty of self-referential laughs along the way.
Leading the production is 23-year-old Mina. Like most modern day protagonists, she is trapped in what she considers to be a dull life. Openly and proudly bisexual, she’s happy in her own skin but has no idea that her housemate Lucy is secretly in love with her. Consequently, it will take a vampire to spice things up a bit.
The writers of Doctor Who do an admirable job of including characters of different sexualities and ethnicities. After all, as Moran has written for both Doctor Who and Torchwood, Bram Stoker’s classic is updated in the best possible way because of this.
Moran, the writer of ‘Cockneys Vs Zombies’ recently confirmed completion of the first series saying, “season one will be online in September, with fifteen episodes including a live stream and a finale. And because this is a modernised, vlog adaptation, you may *think* you know the story, but we’ve got plenty of surprises along the way. This is the first British produced V-Lit (Vlog Literary) series, so I am immensely proud to be adapting such an iconic British novel.”
‘Mina Murray’s Journal’ will star upcoming stand-up comedian Rosie Holt as Mina Murray, Kate Soulsby as Lucy West, Scottish YouTuber Liam Dryden as John Harker and Eddsworld Series regular Matt Hargreaves as Jack Seward. The series is produced by award winning Transmedia Producer, Alexandra Edwards for Moranic Productions.
Moranic Productions is a new joint venture from Moran and fellow filmmaker/producer, Cat Davies, who have a slate of short films, web series and features in development.
Check out the teaser trailer below from the series new YouTube channel….
