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“Sherlock” creators tease new homoerotic “Dracula” series

Published

6 years ago

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Claes Bang as the eponymous count in the upcoming BBC One series, “Dracula” (Image courtesy BBC/Netflix)

Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait a whole year for more sexy scares.

The BBC just dropped a teaser trailer for their highly anticipated “Dracula” series, in which Danish actor Claes Bang portrays the iconic count, and it’s clear that this iteration of the classic tale plans to take a more pansexual approach than we’ve seen in the past.

In the trailer, Dracula is seen gently caressing the face of an obviously terrified young man as he tells him, “Try and stay calm, you’re doing very well.”

The series comes from writers Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, who created the wildly successful modern-day “Sherlock” reboot that won legions of fans and turned actor Benedict Cumberbatch into a household name. Produced by Hartswood Films and inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic novel, it’s set in 1897 Transylvania and re-introduces us to the blood drinking Count as he prepares his plans against Victorian London.

Gatiss, who is gay, says “He’s got broad tastes, this Dracula. It’s not just a collection of sixties women with push-up bras this time. Dracula has never been discriminative, in so far as he can tell the difference between the sexes. He goes for his food but also people who interest him.”

Gatiss and Moffat are also known for their work on another popular British show, “Dr. Who.” They previously introduced LGBT themes and characters in that series as well as in “Sherlock,” where they portrayed the fictional detective’s arch-nemesis Moriarty as a gay man (memorably portrayed by out actor Andrew Scott, now known as “Sexy Priest” from the Emmy-winning “Fleabag”) and often playfully tipped the hat to fans who “ship” the duo of Holmes and Watson – though they never went so far as to actually suggest any sexual or romantic relationship between them.

The shadow of “Sherlock” looms large – literally – over the new series.

According to Gatiss in an interview with Pilot TV magazine, the entire idea for “Dracula” sprung from something that happened while filming the first season of the previous show.

“Well, I’m conscious whatever we say now will be the story we’ll be telling for the next ten years, so I might pretend that we were in a hot-air balloon over Marrakech,” he joked.

“The truth is we were making Sherlock, two days into shooting the first series… I had this photo on my phone of Benedict Cumberbatch silhouetted against Mrs. Hudson’s door, and I showed Ben Stephenson, who was then head of BBC drama, [saying] ‘Oooh it looks like Dracula, doesn’t it?’ and he went, ‘Do you want to do it?’”

Gatiss is also an actor, known best to American audiences for appearing in “Sherlock” as the detective’s brother, and also for a juicy turn as shrewd banker Tycho Nestoris in HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” He takes on an as-yet-undisclosed role alongside Bang in “Dracula,” which will also feature John Heffernan (“The Crown”), Joanna Scanlan (“Hold The Sunset”), Dolly Wells (“Can You Ever Forgive Me”), Morfydd Clark (“His Dark Materials,” “Patrick Melrose”) and Lujza Richter (“Phantom Thread”).

The new series has yet to air, but Gatiss has already teased the possibility of a second season, saying, “It’s very hard to kill a vampire.”

“Dracula” will follow the same format as “Sherlock,” consisting of three feature-length episodes and airing in the UK on BBC One. It will be available in the US and other parts of the world on Netflix. No release date has been set but it is expected to debut in January of 2020.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Cupid’s Undie Run

Annual fundraiser for NF research held at The Wharf DC

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12 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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A dance party was held at Union Stage before Cupid's Undie Run on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Cupid’s Undie Run, an annual fundraiser for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, was held at Union Stage and at The Wharf DC on Saturday, Feb. 21.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Out & About

Sweat DC expands to Shaw

Community workout and social planned for March 14

Published

14 hours ago

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February 21, 2026

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Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.

To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.

For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.

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Calendar

Calendar: February 20-26

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 days ago

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February 20, 2026

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Friday, Feb. 20

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website. 

Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite. 

Saturday, Feb. 21

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation.  Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.

Monday, Feb. 23

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam at [email protected].

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook. 

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook. 

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected]. 

Thursday, Feb. 26

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245. 

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.  

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