Guillermo del Torro's 'The Strain' Is Must Watch TV This Summer

As a fan of genre work, particularly the horror genre, I am absolutely amazed (and secretly quite happy) with the takeover of mainstream and cable television by genre programming. I know there is a copycat effect in place, and that channels are green-lighting genre shows because they want to piggyback on the success of others before them but, the new shows are getting better and better than their predecessors. So, in effect they are not only continuing the trend but, making more sustainable programs in the process. When these shows succeed it makes it easier for them to be taken seriously, and boy they should be! Would you ever have imagine a world where we would have shows like 'Sleepy Hollow', 'Grimm', 'Hannibal', 'Penny Dreadful', 'American Horror Story', 'The Walking Dead', 'From Dusk Til Dawn', 'Being Human' and many more in regular rotation? I certainly never did but, boy am I happy we do. The next big program to come down the pipeline has the pedigree, creative forces behind it, and the premise to garner my attention for the summer. It's called 'The Strain', comes from the mind of Guillermo del Torro & Chuck Hogan, and will air on FX this summer...

Check after the jump for more....



Back in 2008, del Torro had a great idea for a TV show and he began pitching it around town. Unable to gain any support or networks willing to make the show, his agent suggested turning the property into a book. Teaming up with author Chuck Hogan (who wrote the book 'The Town' with Ben Affleck was based on) the duo created The Strain trilogy. Three books that tell the epic tale of a vampire parasite that begins infecting the residents of NYC. The vampire story then takes a turn towards the pandemic, as the virus begins to rapidly spread and only a group of ragtag scientists and fighters can try to bring it to an end.

The vampires and the parasite that infects them are vastly different than the way vampires have been displayed and characterized in the past. They feature many of the creep-tastic qualities that have become a staple of del Torro's work. The vampires have a 6 foot 'stinger' proboscis that is under their tongue. It can be used to 'infect' people from afar... eliminating the need for the vamps to get up close to their victims. The virus itself is also transmitted via 'worms', small creatures that are either introduced to the victims bloodstream via a bite or can invade a person through an open wound or cut. This makes the risk for infection even greater, as you not only have to avoid the actual vampires but microscopic organisms that could infect you as well.

The first book was one of the best things I have ever read. Apparently FX felt the same way... and they finally gave the property a order for a TV series. The show will air on July 13th, and I for one could not be more excited.

Check the trailer out, and tune in this summer for some blood crazy fun...