Vertigo preps UK-German supernatural drama

Britannia indie Vertigo Films and German outfit SquareOne Productions have teamed up for international supernatural drama Vamping.

The eight-part young adult series has been billed as a “true German-UK collaboration in front of and behind the camera”, with the series seamlessly switching between the two languages, and builds on Vertigo and SquareOne’s previous collaboration the StreetDance film franchise.

It is created by London-born writer, director and producer Matthew Jacobs Morgan (The Rig), alongside German-born multi-disciplinary artist and screenwriter Sophie-Yukiko Hasters.

Vamping (8 x 60-minute) is a supernatural drag drama set in Berlin, drawing on the city’s renowned hedonistic, nocturnal LGBTQ+ club culture as the backdrop in which to tell the story of a vampire community through the eyes of young, black, brash and queer drag performer, Everett.

After a night of revelry at Berlin’s hottest drag club Dragged Hier, Everett wakes up to find he has unwittingly been turned into a vampire. Terrified, angry, and confused, he sets out to uncover the truth and finds himself the protagonist in an impending culture war between vampire tribes.

Vertigo co-founder Allan Niblo will exec produce alongside Square One founder Al Munteanu.

Vamping will draw on talent from minority and underrepresented communities both in front and behind the camera, with casting taking place in the coming months.

Morgan said: “We’re blurring the lines between queerness and vampirism in a way which explores otherness, belonging and community whilst also bringing a noisy, queer joy to the forefront with a brilliant army of creatives by my side.”

Hasters added: “It have loved working with Matthew to bring Vamping to life and to find its unique German voice, and to explore painting a new portrait of Berlin and its inhabitants.”

Niblo said: “Vamping is bold, bonkers and brilliant. We’re extremely passionate about exploring many of the topics that young people are grappling with today, whether it’s championing queer representation and visibility or challenging societal expectations and trying to understand the world we live in.

“Young people want to see themselves represented in a fun, meaningful and exciting way and Matthew’s vision, alongside Sophie’s experience and background, could not be more perfect in achieving that for Vamping - they will bring an authenticity to the script and characters that is so rare to see on screen.”