Syfy Casts Stargate Vets For Van Helsing

Syfy Channel has announced the cast for its new vampire apocalypse drama Van Helsing, and it includes some familiar faces from the Stargate family.

Van Helsing spins the story of the legendary vampire hunter by centering on a female lead — Vanessa Helsing, to be played by True Blood alum Kelly Overton. Resurrected from the dead, the daughter of Abraham Van Helsing finds herself in a world where vampires have taken control of society and humans live as second-class citizens.

Stargate‘s Christopher Heyerdahl (Todd, Halling) will play a human named Sam, described as “a survivor of the vampire Rising, who relies on his strength and observational skills to stay alive.”

On the vampire side of the war is Tim Guinee (Tomin), who plays Ted, “a vampire foot soldier who does battle with Vanessa and conceals a tragic past.”

Jonathan Scarfe (Hell on Wheels), Paul Johansson (Mad Men), and David Cubitt (Ray Donovan) round out the cast.

Behind the camera, former SG-1 co-star Amanda Tapping will direct at least one episode of the series. Also set to direct are sci-fi veterans Michael Nankin (Battlestar Galactica), Simon Barry (Continuum), Jason Priestley (Haven), and David Frazee (Orphan Black).

Van Helsing comes from Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels), with Neil LaBute (Billy & Billie) as showrunner and executive producer.

Filming on the show’s 13-episode first season begins next week, looking toward a premiere this fall.

(Via Deadline)