A new Van Helsing series is in development from CBS. Abraham Van Helsing is a long-standing horror character who first appeared in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula. The character is a monster hunter who is particularly known for hunting down vampires. He has been portrayed in several different adaptations of Dracula and the larger lore.

Per Deadline, CBS is developing a Van Helsing TV series based on the monster hunter. The series will be a procedural set in modern-day that sees Van Helsing team up with his ex-girlfriend, Mina Harker. Harker’s origin also comes from the Dracula novel where she is one of the main characters. Together, Harker and Helsing will work to solve some of New York City’s toughest cases. The series will be produced by Rob Doherty, Carl Beverly, and Sarah Timberman. Van Helsing will be written by Jonathan Lee.

Now Is a Big Time for Vampire Lore

The Dracula Novel Continues To Influence Major Movies & TV Shows

The development of Van Helsing is big news for CBS, as it means the network will continue to produce new procedural content. Earlier this week, the network announced the production of Einstein, which is a remake of a German show of the same name. Both Einstein and Van Helsing are police procedurals with a twist, with the former focusing on Albert Einstein’s great-grandson and the latter on a famed monster hunter. Despite their differences, the concurrent creation of the series means that CBS sees procedurals as the way to go.

The network is also likely picking up on broader television trends that have gone on recently. While the character of Van Helsing has been around for over a century, he has resurfaced again in the cultural zeitgeist with shows like What We Do in the Shadows. The FX comedy prominently features the Van Helsing bloodline as a key plot point. One of the show’s main characters, Guillermo, is even revealed to be a descendant of the monster hunter.

The 2020s are also a big time for vampire movies and shows. Along with What We Do In The Shadows, Interview With The Vampire has been renewed for season 3. Movies directly tied to Dracula can be seen with Renfield, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, and the upcoming Nosferatu. Delving more into the extended lore of Van Helsing with a modern and procedural twist will be a good strategy for CBS as they move forward with Van Helsing as one of their next shows.