With the pilot of THE STRAIN recently wowing FX execs, resulting in a full 13-episode order, it’s now been announced that the role of Professor Abraham Setrakian will be recast. John Hurt portrayed the key character in the pilot, but for reasons unknown the ‘War Doctor’ himself will not be part of the show going forward, with David Bradley (ironically another Time Lord of sorts) stepping in to take over the role. Setrakian’s scenes from the first episode will be reshot. 

THE STRAIN is based upon the popular book series written by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, and tells the tale of an apocalyptic ‘vampire’ epidemic. Carlton Cuse (of LOST and BATES MOTEL fame) will be on showrunner duties. Other cast members include Corey Stoll (HOUSE OF CARDS), Mia Maestro (TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN), Sean Astin (LOTR trilogy), Kevin Durand (LOST), Natalie Brown (DAWN OF THE DEAD), Jonathan Hyde (DINOTOPIA), Richard Sammel (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS), Robert Maillet (PACIFIC RIM), Ben Hyland (HOUSE OF CARDS), Jack Kesy and Miguel Gomez.

The show will begin shooting this month and is expected to premiere around July of next year. And if all goes well, THE STRAIN will adapt its complete story over an estimated “39-65” episodes according to FX head honcho John Landgraf. Expect lots more on this series over the coming months…

Synopsis:

A plane lands at JFK and mysteriously ‘goes dark’, stopping in the middle of the runway for no apparent reason, all lights off, all doors sealed. The pilots cannot be raised.

When the hatch above the wing finally clicks open, it soon becomes clear that everyone on board is dead – although there is no sign of any trauma or struggle. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control must work quickly to establish the cause of this strange occurrence before panic spreads.

The first thing they discover is that four of the victims are actually still alive. But that’s the only good news. And when all two hundred corpses disappear from various morgues around the city on the same night, things very rapidly get worse. Soon Eph and a small band of helpers will find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the whole city, against an ancient threat to humanity.

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