NBC's upcoming Dracula drama has cast a suitor for its titular character.
Irish actress Victoria Smurfit has been tapped to play Lady Jayne in the network's 10-episode series, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
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The series, which bypassed the traditional pilot stage, takes place in the 1890s and finds Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) living a double life in London as an American businessman interested in bringing modern science to Victorian society. But his true plan -- to exact revenge on those who burdened him centuries ago -- is derailed when he falls in love with Mina (Arrow's Jessica DeGouw), who seems to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.
Smurfit, whose credits include roles in About a Boy, The Beach and Irish drama The Clinic, will play Lady Jayne, a fashion-forward graceful and beautiful woman instantly attracted to Dracula who pursues him.
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Smurfit joins a cast that also includes Merlin's Katie McGrath and Game of Thrones' Nonso Anozie, who play Mina's best friend Lucy Westenra and Allan Grayson's (aka Dracula) loyal confidante.
Based on a script by co-exec producer Cole Haddon, Dracula will be exec produced by former HBO Films president Colin Callendar for Playground, Tony Krantz (24, Sports Night) for Flame Ventures and Gareth Neame (Downton Abbey) for Carnival Films, a division of NBCUniversal International Television Production, Dan Knauf (Carnivale) and Universal Television. Sky's Anne Mensah, head of drama, will serve as commissioning editor.
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Smurfit is repped by UTA, United Agents, Lisa Richards, The Collective and Felker Toczek. NBC is eyeing Dracula for fall 2013.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
