These shows offer a bit more grit with their blood and a bit more heart with their hauntings.
Here are some of the under-the-radar shows that'll give you those "Originals" vibes, sans the typical cliches.
10. "Dark Shadows" (1966-1971) "Dark Shadows" is a gothic soap opera that's all about the spooks and feels. The Collins family is at the heart of this one, and boy do they have issues: curses, ghosts, and yes, vampires.
It's got this vampire named Barnabas (an OG brooder before brooding was cool), who's been in a coffin for nearly 200 years and is just trying to find his place in the 20th century. He's dealing with family drama, witchy enemies, and all the complications of being undead.
9. "Being Human" (UK version, 2008-2013) Take one house in Bristol, add a ghost named Annie who's stuck in a purgatory of tea and toast, throw in a vampire named Mitchell who is trying his best not to bite anyone, and round it out with George, a kind-hearted werewolf.
"Being Human" gives us a look at these supernatural beings trying to, well, be human. They've got jobs, they pay rent, and they've got the neighbor from hell (sometimes literally).
8. "Penny Dreadful" (2014-2016) Set in Victorian London, "Penny Dreadful" is like a monster mash of epic proportions. You've got Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, werewolves, and enough foggy, cobblestone streets to get you in the mood for a good old-fashioned fright fest. Vanessa Ives is our heroine, and she's entangled with all sorts of supernatural shenanigans.
There's a quest to find Mina Harker, séances that'll make your hair stand on end, and creatures that lurk in the shadows.
7. "The Secret Circle" (2011-2012) Remember that phase when everyone was into witches? "The Secret Circle" was smack dab in the middle of it. Cassie Blake moves to Chance Harbor and discovers she's a witch. There's a circle of witches, and they're all bound together, which means drama with a capital D. They've got to deal with the everyday high school scene while also confronting witch hunters and dark powers.
The show really leans into the idea that there's power in unity, but also that power can come with a serious price tag.
6. "Blood Ties" (2007-2008) In Toronto, a former cop turned private investigator named Vicki Nelson stumbles upon the supernatural. She teams up with a 450-year-old vampire named Henry (yes, he's charming and yes, he's got a secret or two).
They're an unlikely duo, fighting the kind of baddies that go bump in the night. Vicki's got this ex-partner/lover who's also in the mix, and the love triangle gets as tangly as the monster-of-the-week plots.
5. "Moonlight" (2007-2008) Ever wondered what a vampire private investigator would be like? Meet Mick St. John, a P.I. with a penchant for blood and justice. He's got this ex-wife who turned him into a vampire on their wedding night.
Mick's living in L.A., solving crimes and trying not to fall for a mortal reporter, Beth. Their chemistry is something else, and the way he grapples with his vampiric nature while trying to protect her?
It's the kind of drama that keeps you hooked.
4. "The Gates" (2010) Picture this: a gated community where the residents are a little too perfect. Nick Monohan, the new chief of police, moves in with his family, unaware that his neighbors are a mix of supernatural creatures.
Vampires doing PTA? Check. Werewolves jogging in the park? Check. Everyone's got secrets, and as the series unfolds, the Monohan family realizes that their dream community might be more of a nightmare.
3. "Witchblade" (2001-2002) Sara Pezzini is an NYPD detective who comes into possession of the Witchblade, an ancient, sentient weapon that's been around since the dawn of time. This thing gives her all sorts of powers, but also drags her into an underworld of powerful foes who want the Witchblade for themselves.
The show mixes police procedural with mythic elements, creating a unique world where ancient artifacts are as common as handcuffs.
2. "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil" (2010-2012) "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil" is a horror-comedy that doesn't skimp on the gore or the laughs. Todd is a high school stoner who stumbles upon the Book of Pure Evil and unwittingly unleashes its powers. With his pals, he forms a group dedicated to finding the book and fixing the chaos it causes.
1. "Lost Girl" (2010-2016) In the world of "Lost Girl," Bo is a succubus who's been living off the grid. She doesn't do well with rules, especially those imposed by the Fae, a group of mythological beings hidden in plain sight. Bo's neutral stance in the Fae's ancient battles gets complicated when she starts helping humans and Fae with her private detective work.
Relationships, mysteries, and Bo's struggle with her own nature make for a heady mix of drama and action.
