10 Great Characters Wasted On Terrible Horror TV Shows

This disappointing adaptation of Joe Hill’s vampire novel showcases an on-point Zachary Quinto. The former Syler displays his knack for psychopathic antagonists as the bloodthirsty Charlie Manx.

Despite the decrepit appearance, Manx is immortal, feeding off children to maintain his strength. For the hapless victims of this demonic menace, the torment does not stop at the blood-drinking. Post-mortem, the victims are trapped in the perpetually creepy Christmasland, a wintery dimension hidden within Manx’s imagination.

For Quinto, this hideous monster leaves him plenty of room to display his more fearsome side as a performer. From the off-putting make-up to Quinto’s voice and suitably creepy physicality, Manx is an effective, disquieting villain. While the title of course is in reference to horror classic Nosferatu, this decrepit blood drinker is a highly original take on the vampire mythos with little in common with the traditional Count Orlok character. 

Despite the quality of the character, the show overall fails to capture the grim spirit of Joe Hill’s novel. With an awkward pace to stretch out the novel’s plot, as well as a frustrating lack of tension for such an unsettling premise, it’s hardly surprising this hit-and-miss effort was cancelled after two seasons.