Jonathan Bailey sinks his teeth into Audible’s starry Dracula
Audible’s new Dracula adaptation casts Bailey as the Count, with Ella Purnell, Aimee Lou Wood and Maggie Gyllenhaal joining the English-language version.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Jonathan Bailey is heading to Transylvania for Audible, taking the title role in a new English-language audio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic horror novel Dracula.
Audible has announced a multi-language rollout of the classic vampire tale, with versions planned in English, Castilian Spanish, French, German, Italian, LATAM Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. The production is set for a global launch this fall, with most versions arriving October 1.
Bailey, known for Bridgerton and Wicked: For Good, will play Count Dracula in the English-language Audible Original. The cast also includes Ella Purnell of Fallout as Mina, Aimee Lou Wood of The White Lotus as Lucy and Louis Partridge of Enola Holmes as Jonathan Harker.
The English ensemble continues with David Jonsson of Industry as Dr Seward, Lesley Manville of Phantom Thread as Mrs Westenra, Johnny Flynn of Ripley as Renfield, Francis Lovehall of A Thousand Blows as Arthur and Maggie Gyllenhaal of The Dark Knight as Professor Van Helsing.
Local stars lead the international casts
Audible’s international editions will use separate local casts. In the French version, Omar Sy will voice Dracula opposite Deva Cassel as Mina. The Italian edition pairs Riccardo Scamarcio as Dracula with Benedetta Porcaroli as Mina.
The German version stars Matthias Schweighöfer as Dracula and Jeanne Goursaud as Mina. For Castilian Spanish, Asier Etxeandia will play Dracula and Claudia Salas will play Mina. The LATAM Spanish version has José María de Tavira as Dracula and Esmeralda Pimentel as Mina. Audible said each production features a full ensemble cast.
The official synopsis frames the story around Mina Murray after her fiancé disappears in Transylvania. According to Audible, Mina follows letters, diary entries and testimony while tracking the predator threatening the people closest to her. When Lucy falls under Dracula’s influence, Professor Van Helsing is called in, though the synopsis says Mina’s intelligence and resolve may be central to stopping him.
Mary Lambert directs the audio production
Mary Lambert, whose screen work includes the adaptation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, is making her audiobook directing debut on the project. Robyn Ahern adapted the novel for audio.
The score comes from Ilan Eshkeri, whose credits include House of Guinness. Eshkeri previously worked with Audible on its production of 1984.
Aurelie de Troyer, Audible’s head of content, international, said the production aims to push the psychological thriller inside Stoker’s story, with the clash between Mina and Dracula at its center. She said Audible’s format lets listeners hear Dracula “whispers in your ear” and “his footsteps in the dark.”
Dracula will launch in English, French, Italian, Castilian Spanish and LATAM Spanish on October 1. The German version is scheduled for February 9, 2027. Audible has not yet announced the cast or 2027 release date for the Brazilian Portuguese edition.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.