The Strain, a 13-episode vampire horror series, is building a fanbase before it even airs and it's worth finding out what the hype is all about. The series will follow Dr Ephraim Goodweather, played by Corey Stoll (House of Cards), who's thankfully known as Eph, and his investigation of an outbreak of a virus which appears to be a strain of vampirism loose in New York City. Not convinced? In fact, The Strain's claim to the title of one of the most anticipated series of 2014 rests with the co-writer of the novel on which the series is based and its pilot script, Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro, who previously directed a little vampire film in 2002 called Blade II, and successfully brought Hellboy to life in two feature films, is known for his unashamed fanboyism and his visual flair. With Jonathan Rhys Meyers currently holding up the romantic end of vampire lore in TV's Dracula, a more visceral take on bloodsuckers would be welcome, and del Toro seems set to deliver.
