ABC pilot ‘Gothica’ puts vintage characters in contemporary soap

Janet Montgomery, who made a splash last pilot season with “Made in Jersey,” has just been cast in ABC’s new high concept soap, “Gothica.” Deadline Hollywood reports that Montgomery will play Grace Van Helsing, a modern day journalist who takes over her family’s hometown newspaper with financial backing from Dorian Gray.

Dorian Gray will be played by Chris Egan. Tom Ellis (“Eastenders”) will play Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is seeking a way to bring his daughter back to life. Although he’s now married to Madeline Usher (as in “Fall of the House of...”) he used to be involved with Grace Van Helsing and is still in love with her.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are supposed to get involved with this somehow too. And if you haven’t recognized Grace’s last name, it would tend to hint at the possibility of Transylvanian nobility getting into the mix at some point.

Montgomery was featured in the movie “Black Swan,” and has also appeared on the series “Human Target,” “Entourage” and “Merlin.”