I love vampire shows. Mysterious brooding pretty guys, kick-ass heroines, supernatural stuff, witty banter, cool fighting - they have it all. I find dramatic situations much more interesting when the stakes aren’t just ending relationships, but the end of the world. Of course in vampire shows you frequently get both! Mysteries, love, relationships, beating evil (and all done in a sexy long trenchcoat). Here are my top 5 favourite vampire shows. Will your favourite be there?

5. Blood Ties

This is a lesser known Canadian show, based on a series of books by Tanya Huff. These books were written in the 90s (pre-Buffy). The show features Vicky, an ex-cop turned private investigator with an eyesight condition. She meets Henry Fitzroy, a vampire and historical figure (Duke of Richmond). The usual love triangle is completed by Mike, Vicky’s partner when she was a cop. Vicky takes on cases that usually have a supernatural problem, helped by Corinne, Vicki’s enthusiastic goth assistant, Henry and a skeptical Mike. This show only had one season sadly, so it doesn’t wrap up everything neatly, but you can always read the books to see what ends up happening.

I think Henry is the prettiest vampire I’ve ever seen. Just look at him!

4. Moonlight

Those of you who have seen Hawaii Five O might recognise the vampire in Moonlight (I think his hair is much nicer in this show). Mick St James is a private detective, and you may also recognise his vampire friend Josef as Logan from Veronica Mars. Mick struggles with his attraction to human Beth,a reporter, and his existence as a vampire. This show only got one season too which was a pity, I think it could have developed into something great.

3. True Blood

True Blood is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris. It follows the life and relationships of the telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse as she interacts with vampires, friends, family & all manner of supernatural creatures in her little Southern town. I read the books before watching True Blood, and enjoy both. In this series, vampires aren’t a secret. It gives the show a different feel, it’s interesting to see how the existence of vampires affects the public and political sphere. The show isn’t exactly the same as the books either, which I like. You don’t always know what will happen, and the minor characters get larger storylines in the show. True Blood is pretty heavy on the sex and violence, so I’d give it a miss if that isn’t your thing.

2. Angel

Angel/Angelus, or “Captain Forehead” as Spike would say. Angel, the brooding vampire with a soul, showed up in Buffy, and eventually went on to have his own spin-off show, a bit darker and more shades of grey than Buffy. Angel becomes a private investigator in LA (seems a popular occupation for vampires) who “helps the helpless”. Joss Whedon is great at ensemble casts, and I quite enjoyed Angel’s collection of familiar characters from Buffy, and a few new ones. I love how Joss uses humour and wit in his drama, and quite a bit of time was spent poking fun at Angel’s overly serious and taciturn demeanor. While providing shots of him shirtless, as you do. Angel has a gypsy curse, which means if he has a moment of pure happiness he loses his soul and becomes evil Angelus (who is a lot more interesting I must say).

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The ultimate vampire show that I judge all vampire shows by, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Joss Whedon takes the situation of high school and raises the stakes (hehehe). Buffy is the chosen one, the slayer who must defeat the vampires (and any other demony things she comes across). I started watching Buffy in my first year of uni (when it began) and stuck with it through all seven seasons. I fiercely identified with being an outsider at school. I wanted to be Willow’s friend, I had a crush on Xander (even named my son after him) and wanted to be able to kick ass like Buffy. If only librarians could be like Giles. I cared about the characters deeply.

And can I just mention how much I loved that Joss stuck to his guns when the network wanted to cast nerdy Willow as a sexy girl with glasses. Instead we got adorable Willow, with her fluffy jumpers and animal backpacks. I think 3rd season was the best, but 6th season must get a mention because of the musical episode (fantastic). Also, the episode Hush from Season 4 was chilling. Fabulously scary monsters.

Buffy is such a beautifully layered show. There’s humour, always, yet it never seems out of place. Characters grow and change, and never in a way you’d expect. There is continuity, more than I’ve seen in other shows. Actions have consequences, and aren’t forgotten from week to week. If it wasn’t for Buffy, the other vampire shows probably wouldn’t exist.

What’s your favourite vampire show? Favourite vampire? If you don’t like them, why not?

Pic 1 from here. Pic 2 from here. Pic 3 from here. Pic 4 from here. Pic 5 from here. Pic 6 from here. Pic 7 from here.

Similar Posts:

• I Should Write About Vampires by Monique Fischle
• Why I Stopped Following The Following by John James
• Dear Australian TV, I am Leaving You by Mazi Gray
• The Popularity Of Justice by Monique Fischle
• I Just Want To Know Who The Mother Is by Monique Fischle