Goran Visnjic to play Dracula on ABC’s The Brides

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

ABC is currently assembling a pilot for a project that would center on the brides of Dracula, so it makes sense that the show would require a Dracula, even if its title is simply The Brides. Last week, we learned that Gina Torres will be playing one of the three brides, and now we know who will be playing their hubby.

Goran Višnjic has signed on to play Dracula, "the powerful, ageless and iconic King of Night who turned each of his three brides (into vampires)". The story begins when Dracula "is left for dead at his destroyed castle in the Carpathian mountains while his three wives, Cleo, Renée, and Lily, flee to start a new life together."

The Brides "survived their encounter with Van Helsing centuries ago and are now residing in modern day New York City." The show will center on this 

trio of empowered, immortal women and the things they do to maintain wealth, prestige, legacy — and their nontraditional family.

Torres plays the bride named Cleo Phillips, and Katherine Reis has signed on to play Lily Stevens, the youngest of the brides. "Lily is a striving singer in New York City whose relationship to a news reporter threatens to tear apart her marriage to her 'sisters.' In her former life, she braved the streets of Jack the Ripper’s London, until being 'rescued' by Dracula."

Also in the cast are Sophia Tatum and Chris Mason. Tatum's character is Justine Strang. "Completely friendless and new to town, Justine shows up at the studio of Renée Pélagie, a top modeling agent in New York City — and the “middle” bride of Dracula. Renée soon takes this young, hungry, aspiring model under her wing, unaware that Justine may have a past with Dracula as well." Mason will be playing Roland Grant, a stylish real estate mogul who "arrives in town to challenge Cleo (Torres) — the 'Queen of New York City real estate,' and the leader of the brides of Dracula — for professional supremacy. With secret ties to Dracula, Roland has a personal stake in the destruction of the Brides."

After finding out that Višnjic is the show's Dracula, it's no surprise to hear that he is still a presence in the modern day section of the story. It's not likely they would cast Višnjic just to die quickly in a flashback. Probably best known for playing Luka Kovac on 185 episodes of ER, Višnjic is a native of Croatia and has a great look for Dracula. He recently played a villainous role on a few episodes of Santa Clarita Diet.

The Brides is coming to us from Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina creator (and CARRIE 2013 and THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN 2014 screenwriter) Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Maggie Kiley will be directing the pilot from a script by Aguirre-Sacasa. They are also executive producing the show with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter of Berlanti Productions. The pilot is being produced by Warner Bros. Television and ABC Studios.