15 Best Horror TV Series

Named after the cheap, pulpy Gothic fiction of the Victorian Era, Penny Dreadful is the unpretentious monster-mash that you'd expect, except it's a surprising well-crafted and thoughtful series (well, at least the first two seasons are). Penny Dreadful is shameless Gothic fun without straying into The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) and Van Helsing (2004) territory, which would've been a really easy trap to fall into. Hats off to John Logan for avoiding it.

Set in late 19th Century London, Penny Dreadful unites Victor Frankenstein, his Monster(s) and Dorian Grey (as well two another classic monsters who reveals their identity later) with new characters who are every bit as interesting. Other Gothic literary figures inevitably join in the mix as the show progresses; including Dr Jekyll, Van Helsing, Dr Seward, Renfield and Dracula (we wait patiently for his inevitable reveal from the first episode - the woman who's kidnapping drives season one is named Mina). Fans of the show were quick to dub the central characters 'the Scooby Doo gang', which perfectly sums up why this show is so awesome. Dorian Grey does sit on the outskirts of the central story for the duration, which is a touch frustrating; but then again it is in keeping with his 'mysterious stranger' persona.

The production design is gorgeous; it looks like a Hammer horror film updated for the modern day. But the difference between Penny Dreadful succeeding and failing miserably was its cast, and bloody hell - this show is cast to perfection. Eva Green, Josh Hartnett and Rory Kinnear are particularly impressive, but every one of the central actors are absolutely phenomenal.

Perhaps the pitiful Sleepy Hollow series could've used the John Logan treatment.