Are Vampires Back? 5 Vampire Shows That Prove They Never Went Away
Vampires have an immortal place on TV. I know that I’ve always had an appreciation for vampire shows. Maybe it’s because I fell head over heels for The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017). That show alone spawned a three-show universe. Before that, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2007) became a cult classic and a cornerstone in vampire media. To explain its impact on TV and pop culture in general would be to write a thousand more words. It changed the game forever.
There’s also the less coming-of-age and very adult True Blood (2008-2014). There are even shows where vampires aren’t the main supernatural creature, like on Shadowhunters (2016-2019) or Midnight, Texas (2017-2018). Most recently, CBS ordered the vampire comedy series, Eternally Yours. So, as you can see, vampires aren’t going anywhere any time soon, and TV is better for it. You can watch the 5 vampire shows below on Peacock, Netflix, and more!
The Vampire Diaries is one of the most well-known vampire shows, and part of that is because of the villain it produces in its second season: Klaus Mikaelson (Joseph Morgan). He is one of the universe’s original vampires. Well, technically, he is a hybrid of a vampire and werewolf, while his four siblings are vampires. Once Klaus and his family joined The Vampire Diaries in Season 3, the most logical and exciting thing to do was give them a spinoff. There was too much chemistry, story, and talent to let them play supporting characters forever.
So, The Originals came about and relocated the Mikaelson family and a werewolf named Hayley Marshall (Phoebe Tonkin), who was pregnant with Klaus’s child, to New Orleans. There, the spinoff series became a well-written exploration of the supernatural world’s oldest family. At times, this show feels like a Shakespearean play with its explorations of familial dynamics, and that’s a major compliment. The dynamic between Klaus and Marcel Gerard (Charles Michael Davis) is one of its most complex, which is saying something because every relationship on the show is so rich. So much so, Klaus and Hayley’s daughter leads the underrated spinoff Legacies (2018-2022).
I don’t know that I’ve seen a vampire show with more gorgeous cinematography than A Discovery of Witches. From Oxford, England, to Venice, Italy, and a few stunning locations in between, this show is truly breathtaking and immensely romantic. Based on the books by Debra Harkness, the three seasons follow the forbidden romance between a witch, Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer), and a vampire, Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode).
Truly, the show’s universe has a villainous Congregation that actively opposes any relationship between species. Because of that central romance with killer chemistry, this show is for romantasy fans and historical romance fans alike. All the while, A Discovery of Witches is steeped in academia, history, and mythology based in biology. There’s so much for this show to pull from, and it does, even taking it as far as time travel. To my surprise, it works! So, this show may also be a nice watch for fans of Outlander (2014) for that very reason.
What We Do in the Shadows brings the appeal of a mockumentary comedy to the afterlife, as it follows four vampire roommates in Staten Island, New York. Like some of the other shows on this list, this one also finds its source material in another piece of media—What We Do in the Shadows (2014). The six seasons expand on the laughs and lore of Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak), Laszlo Cravensworth (Matt Berry), Nadja of Antipaxos (Natasia Demetriou), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch).
It found its logical conclusion with the end of the show’s documentary. Along the way, it subverted expectations about vampires by poking fun at what it means to be immortal. Reginald the Vampire (2022-2024) takes a similar comedic approach in exploring who gets to be a vampire. Both shows are for fans of the genre and the supernatural, as well as those who think the two can’t mix. Let these shows prove you wrong!
Vampire Academy is the TV show adaptation of Richelle Mead’s book series. Where the theatrical Vampire Academy (2014) takes a more tongue-in-cheek, Mean Girls (2004) approach to the material, the short-lived Peacock series takes it more seriously, leaning on drama rather than comedy. Sisi Stringer and Daniela Nieves lead the show as best friends Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir, respectively, and their characters’ friendship is the core. It’s as much a story about friendship as it is about the show’s supernatural politics and young love.
The chemistry between Stringer’s Rose and Kieron Moore’s Dimitri Belikov is something another adaptation of these books won’t be able to replicate. Admittedly, the first season has some pacing issues that impact those elements. Still, Vampire Academy is a fun watch for fans of the books (it made me revisit the source material!) and those who don’t know a thing about Dhampirs or Moroi. It’s an accessible adaptation that deserved more time—a familiar trend for YA supernatural shows nowadays. For that reason, once you watch the first and only season of this show, you may want to check out Netflix’s First Kill to see Jules and Cal’s forbidden romance. If you need a hook, let it be that Jules is a vampire, and Cal is a monster hunter.
Interview with the Vampire is a show on the rise. Based on Anne Rice’s book, this series continues to interpret the source material. So much so, its upcoming third season is taking yet another turn with The Vampire Lestat. This show is mature in its content and its approach to vampires; it tackles race, gender, sexuality, all while bending and blending genres. It can be a historical drama and a rock concert. The medium gives the show much more depth and time to play with the material, compared to the theatrical Interview with the Vampire (1994).
Most notably, the show’s Louis (Jacob Anderson) and Lestat (Sam Reid) are in an irresistible and, more often than not, extremely toxic (to say the least) relationship. Anderson and Reid turn in jaw-dropping performances that deserve more critical acclaim. The same is true for both Bailey Bass and Delainey Hayles’ take on Claudia. If you want more from the universe, you can always check out Mayfair Witches (2023) or Talamasca: The Secret Order (2025-2026). Regardless, Interview with the Vampire will sink its teeth into you and not let go, proving vampire TV is immortal.
