The Web Series
Penny Dreadful Web Series – Varney the Vampire A chilling tale blending horror and mystery as an ancient vampire preys on a vulnerable family.
The original gothic soap opera
Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood was a weekly serial published in England from 1845 to 1847 as part of the popular “penny dreadful” tradition—cheap pamphlets sold for a penny. Predating Dracula by fifty-two years, Varney introduced many vampire traits that endure today, as well as some that have faded from lore. For instance, Varney could walk in daylight and was revived by the light of a full moon.
The story is attributed to James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest, who were paid by the typeset line—an incentive to craft an elaborate (and lengthy) tale.
As the serial progressed, Varney evolved into a more sympathetic figure, influencing later vampires such as Barnabas Collins in the gothic soap Dark Shadows.
A gothic web series
In March 2016, we premiered the first episode of the weekly penny dreadful web series, inspired by the serialized format of the original publications—one of which featured Varney the Vampire. While other Penny Dreadfuls—such as The String of Pearls, featuring Sweeney Todd—have seen multiple adaptations, we believe we may be the first to bring Varney the Vampire to life on video.
Though our independent production had a low, nearly non-existent budget—not unlike the inexpensive original pamphlets themselves—we nevertheless managed to carve out a full season. Thanks to a supportive fan base and recognition from Austin WebFest, including award nominations, the series gained meaningful momentum.
We hope you enjoy this 28-episode adaptation and that it inspires you to dive into the many further adventures of Sir Francis Varney!
Purchase the companion book
Experience Varney the Vampire (Or, The Feast of Blood) like never before—now in a stunning coffee table edition that features the original text and illustrations. Designed as the perfect companion to our web series, this edition invites you to delve deeper into the classic tale and continue the adventure long after the screen fades to black.
Watch Varney the Vampire for free in its entirety on YouTube! If you enjoyed the penny dreadful web series and want to support our future projects, your donation is greatly appreciated!
Meet The Cast
Sir Francis Varney
Flora Bannerworth
Henry Bannerworth
Mr. Marchdale
Charles Holland
Admiral Bell
Series Trailer
Shots from the set
Scenes from the set showcasing the cast, costumes, and locations.
About Me
John Benjamin Faust
John Benjamin Faust is an actor, director and writer. He was the founding artistic director of Weird City Theatre Company in Austin, Texas and the producing director of Varney the Vampire (Or, The Feast of Blood). John has published several of his plays including Night of the Living Dead, Nosferatu, and My Father’s Funeral.
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