A new vampire show for ABC

With the vampire craze continuing to embed itself in popular culture with films like New Moon and TV shows like The Vampire Diaries, networks are continuing to produce new works of vampire fiction in an attempt to cash-in on the phenomenon. And with a nation of women captivated by the sexy undead, networks don't even have to try anymore to write new and compelling material - instead they are able to fall back on the tried and true elements that are sure to enrapture viewers time and time again: the angry werewolf, the tortured vampire, the stunningly beautiful vampire, the human loner looking to find his place in the world...

Take the new series "The Gates", a vampire-themed pilot show currently being produced for ABC. The casting call for the pilot reveals a show set in Chicago, rich with the typical elements contained in popular works of vampire fiction. It is at this point unclear whether the vampires live in secret, or in a world where they can exist out in the open. The main vampire protagonists, Claire and Dylan Radcliff, are a married vampire couple to appear to be in their 30's. They are described as such:

Claire: "Stunning in a tasteful, suburban way. Deeply devoted to her husband and adopted daughter. The kind of woman who cleans the house, drives her daughter to school and makes cookies for the bake sale...all before Noon. Behind the perfect exterior though, she's falling apart inside. Unhappy constantly subverting her Vampiric impulses, Claire struggles to stay "on the wagon". Her addiction to hunting humans is a perpetual source of tension between her and her husband, Dylan."

Dylan: "Extremely handsome and put together, late 30s. Even keeled with an exterior that's hard to read even if you know him well. A brilliant and strategic mind. Beneath his cool front is a passionate and deeply emotional man. Would do anything to protect the life he's built for his family at The Gates. Has a real soft spot for Claire even though her addictive personality continues to put their family at risk.."

The show also contains the other supernatural characters needed to compliment any good vampire lead: the all-American werewolf, the enchanting witch and the unexplained supe. Meet Brett, Devon and Andie:

Brett: "Linebacker of the football team. Not a dumb jock, though. Genuinely smart. Usually highly successful in his love life. Struggles with his anger occasionally, which has serious implications since he's a werewolf."

Devon: "Strikingly beautiful, mid-30s. A witch. Much more dangerous than she looks. A "Queen Bee" type. Will do anything and everything to gain power over those around her. Knows everyone in The Gates and as many of their secrets as she can acquire. Lures you in with her charm and empathetic ear."

Andie: "Mixed race, exotic, 15. Seems human...at first. Even more intelligent than she is beautiful. Quick witted and unafraid of confrontation. Guys want her, girls want to be her. Has a dark secret..."

The pilot also contains several human characters who are mildly compelling:

Nick: "Good looking in a casual way, late 30s. Human. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Driven by his fierce commitment to justice."

Sarah: "Late 30s. Human. The "girl next door" who grew up into a real beauty. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago. A survivor who's been through a lot."

Charlie: "15. Human. Very cute in an offbeat way. Usually the smartest kid in the room, but not from a neighborhood where that's a good thing. Yet to find his place in the world."

It will be interesting to see if these recycled ingredients make for another entertaining show. The trick is not to make us think these characters are new; the trick is to make these rehashed characters compelling all over again. Let's see if ABC can do it, or if this pilot will be just one of many to not get picked up next fall...