The Doctor! Guillermo del Toro! Vampire pilot for FX! Who WOULDN’T be all over this story? We’ve actually already told you a little about the del Toro vampire pilot The Strain, based on the trilogy of books he co-authored with Chuck Hogan (Prince of Thieves). If picked up, the showrunner would be our beloved Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel).
So, as the headline blares, the newest cast member is (one of) the Doctor(s). This particular Doctor is the newest to us, though I suspect he’s one of the oldest. It’s John Hurt, reuniting with his Hellboy director del Toro. Hurt’s castmates in include Corey Stoll (The Bourne Legacy, Midnight in Paris), Mia Maestro (Nadia in Alias) and Kevin Durand (Keamy in Lost). Here’s the press release, which includes a synopsis of the show:
FX CASTS OSCAR(R)-NOMINATED ACTOR JOHN HURT IN “THE STRAIN”
Hurt Joins Previously Announced Corey Stoll, Kevin Durand, Mia Maestro, Richard Sammel, Lauren Lee Smith, Jonathan Hyde and Miguel Gomez as a Series Regular
Del Toro and Chuck Hogan Will Co-Write and Executive Produce Pilot Script with del Toro Set to Direct
Emmy(R) Award-Winning Writer/Producer Carlton Cuse Also Serves as Executive Producer
Production to Begin in September 2013 in Toronto
Los Angeles, 17, 2013 – FX has cast two-time Academy Award(R)-nominated actor John Hurt in The Strain, the pilot based on the best-selling vampire novel trilogy from Academy Award(R)-Winning Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Author Chuck Hogan. Hurt joins the previously announced Corey Stoll, Kevin Durand, Mia Maestro, Richard Sammel, Lauren Lee Smith, Jonathan Hyde and Miguel Gomez.
Hurt will portray Professor “Abraham Setrakian,” a holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United States after World War II and now runs a pawn shop in Spanish Harlem. As the outbreak spreads, he may be the only one with answers – if anyone will listen.
“I am incredibly happy to be reunited with John, who is one of the greatest actors in the world and one of my favorite people ever,” said del Toro. “Chuck and I always visualized him while writing The Strain novels and he is absolutely perfect for the part!”
John Hurt is a two-time Academy Award-nominee for his indelible performances in The Elephant Man and Midnight Express. In addition to his Oscar nominations, Hurt received numerous BAFTA awards and two Golden Globe(R) nominations. His numerous other feature film credits include Love and Death on Long Island, Hellboy, V for Vendetta and Alien. He also portrayed Ollivander in the Harry Potter films. On television, he starred in BBC’s The Alan Clark Diaries, The Confession opposite Kiefer Sutherland, and played Warren Christopher in HBO’s Recount.
The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll), the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. When Eph realizes that this isn’t some new bioterror weapon, but something much older, something outside the reach of science, he teams with Abraham to fight back. As a plague of hungry and intelligent predators overwhelms New York, Eph, Abraham and a motley crew of everyday New Yorkers form a ragtag resistance – fighting monsters in the streets and in their homes, waging a war for the fate of humanity itself.
Del Toro and Hogan will co-write the pilot script for The Strain, with del Toro attached to direct. Award-Winning Writer and Producer Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) will be an executive producer and oversee the series with del Toro. Cuse will serve as showrunner if the pilot goes to series. Hogan and Gary Ungar will also serve as Executive Producers. FX Productions will produce.
ABOUT FX NETWORKS
FX Networks, a division of the Fox Networks Group, is comprised of FX, FXM, and its newest channel, FXX, which launches on September 2, 2013. Launched in June of 1994, FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel, which is carried in more than 98 million homes. Its diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas, including Sons of Anarchy, Justified, The Americans; the miniseries American Horror Story; and the acclaimed hit comedy series Louie, Archer and Wilfred. Its library of acquired box-office hit movies is unmatched by any commercial television network. FX’s roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, Anger Management and, coming in 2014, Mike & Molly. FXM (formerly Fox Movie Channel) was launched in October of 1994 and is now carried in more than 49 million homes. Its schedule features classic films during the day, and contemporary box office hits and acclaimed, award-winning films in the evening, as well as short-form award-winning original programming. FXX will be carried in more than 72 million homes at launch and its schedule will feature original series, movies, and acquired series. The channel will be anchored by the acclaimed hit comedies It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League and Legit, and the critically acclaimed latenight strip, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Over the next several years, FX, FXX and FXM will undergo an ambitious programming expansion, with the three networks combining to deliver more than 25 original scripted series.
I’m encouraged by the fact that FX has issued this press release; it sure does read like series pickup is nearly secured. Here’s hoping. We’ll keep you posted.
