Returning to the original novel for his inspiration, Stewart Harcourt's script draws both on elements of Bram Stoker's own life and Victorian society to give this version of the vampire classic a new, modern sensibility.

Desperate to find a cure for his syphilis, Lord Holmwood (Dan Stevens) seeks out an occult priest, Singleton (Donald Sumpter), who tells him of Count Dracula (Marc Warren) – a legendary being with extraordinary powers who lives in Transylvania.

Did you know? Dracula means "son of the devil" in Romanian.

If Dracula could be persuaded to come to England, he could cleanse him of his corrupted blood.

Holmwood arranges for the Count to buy property in London and set up a base in the capital. Leaving his fiancée, Mina (Stephanie Leonidas), behind, solicitor Harker (Rafe Spall) is sent to finalise the property deals with Dracula in Transylvania, but never returns.

Meanwhile, Holmwood chooses to honeymoon at his ancestral home in Whitby, but still refuses to bed his increasingly frustrated wife Lucy (Sophia Myles).

Did you know? Dracula has had an enormous cultural influence, inspiring over 100 films and a whole tourist industry in both Transylvania and Whitby.

But Dracula uses his power to change his ship's course to Whitby, setting off a chain of horrific events. Ultimately Holmwood, with the help of his friend, Seward (Tom Burke), and vampire scholar, Van Helsing (David Suchet), must face Dracula in a final terrifying showdown.

Julie Gardner, Head of BBC Wales Drama, and one of the executive producers, says: "Stewart Harcourt's adaptation is a visceral, sexy and bold re-telling of Bram Stoker's classic chiller which will blow the cobwebs off traditional period drama. And we've brought together a cast of thrilling young talent to bring it to life."

Dracula was filmed in the summer of 2006 on location in and around the West Country.

Did you know? Some commentators think that Stoker may have based Dracula on Henry Irving, the exacting task-master who drained Stoker of his vitality.

Further information:

Wikipedia entry on Dracula »*

Read Dracula online »*

* The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.