Ever since I knew Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat were to write a version of Dracula I have been keenly awaiting its arrival. I felt sure, given Mark Getiss' professed love of the Hammer Dracula series & all of the iterations by various european directors, that he at least would do The Count justice. How wrong was I?
The series started off very well, and the new character played by Dolly Wells was clever and opened up a range of new directions for the story to go. Everything was looking suitably gothic and interesting right up until Dracula became younger. The character then became buffoonish and adopted one of those truly painful to listen to english accents. Instead of being menacing and aristocratic as he should have been, the character was portrayed as a modern comedian with far too many in-jokes. The Show was shaping up to be impressive & even quite scary, but the comedy and the neutering of this iconic character ruined the show.
On a positive note, Dolly Wells, as usual, gave a brilliant performance. Her character was the most interesting by far when, unfortunately, it should have been Dracula himself who stole the show.
I have enjoyed pretty much everything Mark Gatiss has written or acted in so I guess one sour note isn't doing too bad really. It is just a shame it had to be this character & story. I really thought Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat, of all people, would do justice to such an iconic character & story. Very, very disappointed gentlemen.
The series started off very well, and the new character played by Dolly Wells was clever and opened up a range of new directions for the story to go. Everything was looking suitably gothic and interesting right up until Dracula became younger. The character then became buffoonish and adopted one of those truly painful to listen to english accents. Instead of being menacing and aristocratic as he should have been, the character was portrayed as a modern comedian with far too many in-jokes. The Show was shaping up to be impressive & even quite scary, but the comedy and the neutering of this iconic character ruined the show.
On a positive note, Dolly Wells, as usual, gave a brilliant performance. Her character was the most interesting by far when, unfortunately, it should have been Dracula himself who stole the show.
I have enjoyed pretty much everything Mark Gatiss has written or acted in so I guess one sour note isn't doing too bad really. It is just a shame it had to be this character & story. I really thought Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat, of all people, would do justice to such an iconic character & story. Very, very disappointed gentlemen.