ABOUT THE SHOW
Logline: A doctor’s assistant searching for his lost sister is drawn into a secret British society defending the colonial city of New Edinburgh from supernatural forces and the vengeful spirit of a 14th-century warlock seeking bloody resurrection.
Welcome to New Edinburgh, the year is 1890, and the city stands as the last British colonial territory in the United States. It is a busting city of shadows, steam and blood. A city where the locals know to never stay out after dark.
It is also where young Velnias Baird, a medical student from Philadelphia finds himself, in search for his long lost sister. He is to take up a role as assistant to Doctor James Allan, an eminent physician within the city. He also happens to be the cities top pathologist, with a speciality unusual deaths.
It is into this world Velnias is thrust, the double murder of a local inn keeper and his wife which defies explanation.
But Vel will not be deterred from his mission. Clues to his sister’s whereabouts lead him to a house and an occupant he does not expect and a world of monsters, myth and the supernatural.
The series is a Victorian set action horror drawing influence from Sherlock Homes, Dracula, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Penny Dreadful and Scottish folklore.
Initially we are only recording the 30-40 minute pilot with 6 further 30 minute episodes making up the rest of season 1 which will be recorded later in the year.
Closing date for auditions is 13th March 2026.
Location: The pilot will be recorded remotely and on UK time. And welcome auditions from UK and US based actors (especially East Coast) as the show will require British & American accents.
Recording Dates: Preferably End of March – Mid April.
Accents: Unless the role specifies a particular voice, please use your natural accent. Our preference will be for native accents. Especially for Baird (American) and Dr Allan (Scottish).
Hey folks,
thanks to everyone who has submitted an audition. Genuinely, blown away by the number and quality of the auditions.
We will now take a couple of weeks to put together shortlists and may ask people for a call backs once this process is complete.
Thanks again,
Neil.
Hey folks,
I am delighted to announce that the script for the pilot won BEST SCRIPT at the BEHEAR INTERNATIONAL AUDIO AWARDS!!!
So if you want to be part of an award winning audio drama, please get your auditions in by Friday.
Once the casting call closes we will be drawing up a short list for each role and be in touch soon and thanks to everyone that has taken the time to send in an audition so far.
Best,
Neil.
Velnias Baird is a young medical student from Philadelphia. He is on the search for his long lost sister and thinks he has tracked her to New Edinburgh. Using his adopted fathers connections he travels to New Edinburgh to take up a post as assistant to Dr James Allan in the city. All the while the search for his sister pulls him closer to danger. Baird is intelligent but stubborn. He can come across as emotionally guarded but is deeply vulnerable under the surface.
“Even if it leads me to the gates of hell, Doctor, I’m still going.”
“I felt her warmth, like she was right there beside me. She told me to forget the locket. Go home. Said it would be alright.”
“Is that a toxin or venom of some sort? A type of necrosis, perhaps? I've never seen skin cells react like that. It's almost like it's changing their composition post mortem.”
A respected forensic pathologist and physician with a scholarly fascination for the occult. Calm, authoritative. A good man who has made a promise to protect Baird from the darker side of New Edinburgh.
Yes, I heard the stories. The defeat of the Americans in the battle of 1812 via, supernatural means. Of course, I did not believe them, who of sound mind would. But then I learned, the stories were true.
The simplest solution is often the correct one. Take a closer look.
This city, it’s not like other places, laddie. Be prepared
Dr Allan’s associate. Polite, incisive, and loyal. A man of intellect and discipline who sees far more than he says. An exceptional investigator who should never be underestimated.
“Doctor Allan has some influence and the matter has been settled. Now, if you could follow me, please.”
“Your parents were Lithuanian immigrants. Your father, from what little we know, perished in a mining accident just before your birth.”
“Mr Baird. I am afraid, the family and two members of staff were killed in a house fire a year ago. Records confirm, your sister was one of those members of staff. I am sorry.”
A street child who is secretly a VAMPIRE. Playful, unsettling and with a mighty chip on her shoulder. She wants power and when she gets it you’d all better watch out.
“Well, maybe I am a monster. You thought of that?”
“All I know is she always looked out for us street kids.”
“Like I told daddy just before he died, I like being a monster.”
A vulnerable young woman possessed by the spirit of a 14th Century Scottish Warlock. Must transition from innocent fear to supernatural horror.
“Down by the north shore, there was a crate. It was open. Inside I found-- (pain) It came upon me, the great darkness-- It wants to feed.”
A hard-edged police inspector. Gruff, cynical, and with a tough exterior, but not without conscience.
“Oh right then, so I'll just drop this double murder to go look for some dollymop who'll more than likely stumble through the front door, in a couple of days, shall I?”
