By: Phoebe Bonin ’26
Let’s talk about Dracula (the Netflix show, not the book by Bram Stoker)! Created in 2020 by Mark Gatiss and Steven Mofatt, this horror/drama show debuted on January 1st, while also airing on the BBC from January 1-3. With each episode being directed by a different person, all three acts seem to have a distinct feel and vibe, from gothic horror, to pirate who-dunnit, and a modern day scientific party feel, each of the three hour and a half episodes are entertaining and new.
Dracula has a difficult balance of the new and familiar. With a story as well known as Dracula, it is easy to feel like the plot points are predictable, but this show doesn’t struggle with that. It is fast paced and easy to follow, with many twists and turns along the way. I am going to go over episode one today
Episode one: The Rules of the Beast.
This episode had a lot of pressure in production, it being the first look at the series in question. The Rules of the Beast does not disappoint. Let’s start with non-acting compliments. The makeup team worked absolutely wonderfully, from full faces of decaying makeup, to subtle eyeshadow and contour, the makeup in this show was done beautifully. The standout look being on the character Jonathan Harker after surviving an encounter with dracula.
The tone in this episode is so well curated. Each angle was perfectly filmed, creating a level of ambiance along with mystery. The set design is stunning, a beautiful castle being the main location of episode one. I have to give credit to the lighting design, because you can’t help but adore each and every angle. With unique styles within each room, it is easy to feel sucked into the show.
(A shot from episode one depicting Joanthan Harker and Sister Agatha Van Helsing)
The acting is sublime, with standout performances from John Heffernan and Dolly Wells. I can’t say enough good things about this show, so I’ll end with this: watch dracula. It is good.