Vampire TV Series to Quench the Thirst of Twilight and True Blood Fans

As True Blood, based on Charlaine Harris's best selling Sookie Stackhouse books, wraps up its second season with a huge audience left in thrall, fang fans are left with a bloodless void in their lives until the next Twilight movie or vampire television series begins. Here are a few vampire TV series from the past, as well as a few still on the air, that might sate your need for brooding blood suckers in the coming months.

Dark Shadows (1966)

While it has spawned other TV projects, the original Dark Shadows began in 1966 as a Gothic soap opera. The supernatural element was slowly introduced; a year into the running, the character Barnabus Collins, vampire and cult icon, appeared in the show. Melodramatic and campy, the show is still worth a watch. Sure, younger viewers might not be interested in it. That is, until they've heard that Johnny Depp and Tim Burton are set to make a theatrical movie out of Dark Shadows. Depp, reportedly, will be playing Barnabas. I look forward to seeing Burton's version of this Gothic tale.

Forever Knight (1992)

This cult classic originated from a TV movie made in 1989 called Nick Knight (the name of the main character in the series). Toronto detective Nick Knight is an 800-year-old vampire trying to blend in with humans and make up for his bloody past by serving the people. One of my personal favorites, Forever Knight was nominated for several Gemini awards during its run. While the main character's story is entertaining enough, it also has a cast of minor characters worth sinking your teeth into, like the sinister LaCroix.

Kindred: The Embraced (1996)

Sure, it only lasted eight episodes, but those eight episodes are now available on DVD for your viewing experience. Kindred: The Embraced is based on the popular role playing game (rpg). A police detective discovers his city is home to vampires and that the mobster he's investigating is the Prince of the groups of vampires in San Francisco. This group is called, you guessed it, The Kindred.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

Sadly, there are many Twilight fans who have never watched Buffy Summers kick butt and make-out with hot vampires. Poor kids. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, brainchild of Joss Whedon, spawned from the cheese-filled movie by the same name and lasted seven seasons. Emmy nominated and loved by an audience of all ages, the heroine, Buffy, is a cheerleader with wit who has been Chosen to be a slayer of vampires, demons, and other things that go bump in the night. If you put off watching Buffy because of her popularity, well now you can make up for lost time. I suggest you watch the series before the producers who brought us the original movie begin their re-vamped of Buffy without Joss Whedon.

Angel (1999)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer's first blood sucking lover, Angel, stars in this successful spin-off. Angel, having to leave Buffy for her own good, begins a small PI group in Los Angeles with the help of a half-demon who has premonitions of people in danger and one of the love-to-hate characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cordelia. Angel, the vampire with a soul, helps the helpless and fights against an evil lawfirm. Now you know that's a fun watch. Less teen and more Forever Knight than Buffy, Angel's a good series that lasted five season but never found all of Buffy's huge audience.

Blade: The Series (2006)

While I liked the Blade movies and comics, I found the TV series somewhat lacking where characterization was concerned. However, perhaps I'm just not as big of a Blade fan. A woman investigates the mysterious murder of her brother and becomes involved with a powerful vampire who decides to turn her. Blade comes to her rescue with the serum he uses to control his blood lust.

Moonlight (2007)

Private Investigator Mick St. John is a vampire living in Los Angeles and struggling with his attraction to a mortal woman. This series didn't receive much love from the critics, but it was well received by a rather large audience. While it doesn't quite bring much originality to the vampire mythos and doesn't bring the fun wit of Angel, Moonlight is a watchable series.

Blood Ties (2007)

The Canadian vampire series Blood Ties premiered on Lifetime. The series lasted two seasons which are still running in syndication on several networks, and many episodes are available free online. Cop turned PI, Christina Cox teams up with Henry Fitzroy, a 480-year old vampire with royal ties. Watch the duo solve crimes and deal with frustrating romance as more characters enter the scene.

But if you're in the mood for a series that's a bit fresher, here are a few vampire series still running:

True Blood (2008)

True Blood is loosely based on the Southern Vampire Mystery books by Charlaine Harris. It centers around a small town Louisianan waitress by the name of Sookie Stackhouse who happens to be able to read minds. In a universe where vampires have just come out of the coffin and into the public eye thanks to synthetic blood, Sookie meets her first vampire and finds that she can't read his mind. Waitress + vampire= romance with a side order of trouble.

Being Human (2009)

While the pilot aired in the UK in '08, season one didn't premier on the BBCA until '09. Being Human is the simple tale of three roommates who happen to be a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost who just to fit into human society. A great ongoing series that balances day-to-day struggles with the mythos of the vampire society, Being Human has definitely found a place in my Saturday night television viewing. A great TV option for anyone who wants a little less romance and a little more wit in their vampire series.

The Vampire Diaries (2009)

CW's new vampire series due to premier on September 10, 2009, The Vampire Diaries is based on a book series from the early 1990s. A high school girl gets involved with the new boy who happens to be a vampire. He and his less than nice brother become infatuated with her. The series will not be following the books exactly (just as True Blood has strayed from Charlaine Harris's original vision).

So, tune into one of the on-going TV series or buy yourself a box set of an older fan-friendly series at Amazon. Enjoy!