CW plans to cash in on vampire craze with new show "Vampire Diaries"

Nina Dobrev will play "Vampire Diaries" main character Elena

When my contact in Los Angeles first informed me that the CW has a new vampire-themed show in the works titled "Vampire Diaries", my first thought was "stake me now; another vampire show? How many copy-cat creations based on the themes of Twilight and True Blood can they possibly invent?"

Then I read the script.

My prediction: This show is going to be sick. Not like cough cough bad sick, like crazy cool insanely awesome kind of sick. This is not to say that the show is not copy-catting previous vampire productions; in fact, it copies most of the well-known vampire motifs. But isn't that really what all good vampire productions are, classic themes we know and love that talented writers manage to make seem fresh and interesting all over again? How many times have we read a vampire book or seen a vampire movie where the central vampire character is mysterious, brooding and tormented? Countless. How many times have we read or watched that main vampire character in action while debating in our heads whether we're watching the villain or the hero? Many. And how many times have we felt for the vampire protagonist who curses his true nature, feels loneliness like no other creature, and has become emotionally closed-off because his "dark curse" has essentially exiled him from the whole of humanity? I've now run out of words for countless...but you get the idea.

This particular vampire story is not much different from the others we know and adore. Based on having read just the pilot script, the show seems to combine popular thematic elements from both Twilight and True Blood. Based on a horror series of Young Adult novels by author LJane Smith, the show centers on "a tragic young heroine who is the object of passion for two vampire brothers -- one good, one evil -- who are at war for her soul and for the souls of her friends, family and other residents of the small town in which she resides." (Nellie Andreeva, Hollywood Reporter)

The tragic young heroine, Elena Gilbert, will be played by actress Nina Dobrev. Elena is 17 years old (note the character of Elena, a teenager, is actually being played by a teenager for once). We meet her while she's in the throws of grief after having lost both her parents less than six months ago in a horrific car accident. Elena is suffering tremendously on the inside, but trying to keep face on the outside. No one understands her pain, and that pain has has isolated her into a deep place of loneliness. She feels awkward and alone in the town in which she used to live vivaciously and carefree. Sound familiar? Think Bella in Twilight, but even more pitiable. She is being cared for by her Aunt Jenna, who is only 29 herself and is a stressed-out graduate student who never expected to take on the role of parenting so young. Also in the family is Elena's younger brother, Jeremy, played by Steven R. McQueen (grandson of Steve McQueen). The show takes place in Mystic Falls, Virginia.

Steven R. McQueen will play 15 year-old Jeremy  Gilbert

Then in steps the vampire, Stefan. He's dark and mysterious, and it's strongly hinted that he's not new to Mystic Falls, but rather returning with a perhaps hidden agenda. (Think Bill Compton returning to Bon Temps.) Stefan is described as "mesmerizing" with "gorgeous eyes." Think every romantic vampire movie you've ever seen. And of course, Stefan is ardently attracted to Elena, but worried he won't be able to control himself once he gets close to her. Stefan can also go out in the day time (I wonder if he sparkles) but only with the aid of a mysterious ancient ring (huh?). Stefan also has an evil brother named Damon, whose sole purpose it seems is to ruin Stefan's plans to woo Elena. It sounds pretty corny, and it is. But the show does have some intriguing elements that go beyond the vampire storyline.

The show centers around Elena, but also plans to develop story lines for younger brother Jeremy, Aunt Jenna, Stefan and more. It has a whole "My So-Called Life" vibe to it, where the characters miscommunicate out of their own woundedness but do love each other deeply too. Rather than a "kids versus adults" mentality, the feelings and motivations of each character are highlighted to some extent, causing the audience to feel compassion for all parties involved and not just the central characters. In this sense, "Vampire Diaries" does not indicate it will only be a show about vampires; it will be a show about family, loss, and finding out that a young girl can love again -- love a hot, hot dead guy that is.

The writing in the pilot script is quick, witty and hilarious. While the show may piggyback on successful themes from Twilight, the show is not as innocent. There are several drug scenes, talk of sex and references to Elena's past passion (or lack thereof) with her ex-boyfriend. Unlike Twilight, "Vampire Diaries" does not tip-toe around adult themes, but unlike True Blood it does not completely give way to them either. The pilot script suggests toying with some adult themes, but not going too far for its CW target audience of tweens, teens and all-out vampire nerds like myself. I love how the script describes its characters and certain situations. Two characters in the beginning of the pilot script as described as "Arren, 24, has that cute-I'm-probably-gonna-die-soon-look" and "Brooke, 24, pretty, smart-faced. Has that I'll-probably-live-longer-than-my-boyfriend-look." Are you serious??? Yes they are.

What also gives me hope for this show, at least for the pilot episode anyway, is that it will be directed by Marcos Siega, whose credits include Dexter and True Blood. While certain elements of the show promise to maintain a subdued Twilight-like air about them, other aspects hint at an exploration of the more dangerous side of both living in the world of the American teenager and being in love with a vampire.