FIRST LOOK The Reluctant Vampire

Lenny Rush leads BBC One's adaptation of Eric Morecambe's books.

On what would have been Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday, BBC One has released a first look at their upcoming adaptation based on his books, The Reluctant Vampire, which stars Lenny Rush as Val, who tries to live up to his father Victor’s high expectations, played by Tom Davis.

Val, the reluctant vampire himself, is hiding a secret as big as his cape: he is not part of the great undead; he is, in fact, very much alive. 

The Reluctant Vampire will see Val explore his newly discovered human side, whilst dealing with a casket-load of expectations from his tradition-obsessed vampire dad, constant attempts to foil him from his suspicious brother, Vernon, played by Gabriel Nagy, and not always helpful advice from doting mum Valeeta, played by Sian Clifford, who is the only one in the family who knows his true identity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATQIUXOqP4c

In a first-look clip, introduced by Lenny Rush, we get a closer look at Bill Bailey and Ross Noble as the castle’s unmistakable and ever-observant gargoyles, who loom over the castle from their lofty perches.

Perched high on the fortress, pulling their usual stony expressions, the gargoyles offer a glimpse of what they might be getting up to whilst observing the comings and goings below.

But the gargoyles are not the only residents at the castle, because also lurking in the ancient keep are Wilf the Werewolf, played by Joe Wilkinson, and Igon, played by Asim Chaudhry, the much put-upon assistant to the Vampire fang-ily, proving that cohabiting under one castle roof can be a real monster of a house share.

Meanwhile, leading the villagers’ charge and ready to raise a little hell against the bloodsuckers is John, played by Charlie Cooper. At home, he’s supported by his wife, Susan, played by Esther Smith, and kept on his toes by his daughter Gertie, played by Ellie-May Sheridan, who forms a friendship with Val.

Made by Boffola Pictures in co-production with ZDFneo, The Reluctant Vampire is written by Rob and Neil Gibbons, directed by Emily McDonald, produced by Ali Marlow, and executive produced by Shane Allen, with Gary Morecambe as script consultant.

The Reluctant Vampire will air later this year on BBC One