Wednesday 22 October 2008

NEW UK FANTASY SHOW - DEMONS (AKA THE LAST VAN HELSING)

The long-awaited renaissance of good quality UK fantasy TV continues apace with the arrival, early in 2009, of a new adventure drama from ITV (ITV!! Home of Trinny and Susannah!! Who'd have thunk it???). Known, during production as 'The Last Van Helsing' or 'Van Helsing Project' but now offically entitled 'Demons' (hmmmm....not so sure about that) this exciting-looking new show is about the modern day descendant of the legendary vampire hunter who finds himself battling monsters and creatures in contemporary UK. Forget the cheesy Hugh Jackman 'Van Helsing' movie from a few years back (and oh, how I've tried) this show looks looks like a powerful cross between 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (ah, how I miss her...) and....er...something else. Anyway, check out this preview I recently stumbled across... (Click on the title of this post to be taken directly to the link or cut and paste the link below....it's worth it, really!!)

http://www.itvmedia.co.uk/default.asp?section=106&page=5206&cfs=1755

Looks like it's got a good pedigree too with Philip Glenister, still hot from his iconic role as Gene Hunt in 'Life on Mars' and 'Ashes to Ashes' and Richard Wilson who, frankly, looks as if he's just wandered over from the set of 'Merlin' and not bothered to change his costume or wig. Playing the youthful VH is Christian Cooke, the young actor who played ill-fated UNIT soldier Ross Jenkins in the recent Dr Who two-parter featuring the spud-headed Sontarans. Yes, sometimes I'm quite ashamed of the trivia cluttering up my brain...


Anyway, bring it on. If nothing else it's a sign that there is a flickering of intelligent life at work at ITV network centre....

No comments: