If you grew up in the mid-2000s, there was no show quite like Young Dracula. It wasn't just another CBBC comedy; it was this weird, gothic, occasionally genuinely creepy blend of Transylvanian lore and British secondary school awkwardness. We all remember Vlad, the boy who just wanted to be normal but ended up becoming the Chosen One.
It's been quite a while since the final episode aired in 2014. Honestly, looking back at the young dracula cbbc cast now is wild. Some have vanished from the spotlight, while others are currently starring in some of the biggest prestige dramas on television.
Gerran Howell: From Vlad to Hollywood
Gerran Howell basically grew up on our screens. He played Vladimir Dracula for the entire 66-episode run, taking Vlad from a bowl-cut kid to a leather-clad, brooding teen.
What most people don't realize is how much Gerran has leveled up since his days at Garside Grange. After the show ended, he didn't just fade away. He actually went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to sharpen his craft. That move clearly paid off.
By 2019, he was starring in the massive Hulu miniseries Catch-22, directed by George Clooney. He even had a role in the Oscar-winning war film 1917. But the real news? As of 2025 and 2026, Gerran has become a staple of American TV. He’s currently playing Dennis Whitaker in the medical drama The Pitt, starring alongside Noah Wyle. Seeing "Vlad" in a high-stakes hospital setting in Pittsburgh is definitely a trip for anyone who remember him drinking soy-blood in a cellar.
The Count and the Sister: Keith-Lee Castle and Clare Thomas
You can't talk about the cast without the "Big D" himself. Keith-Lee Castle played Count Dracula with a perfect mix of ego and comedic timing.
Keith-Lee was already a veteran when he joined the show (anyone remember him in Seed of Chucky or EastEnders?), and he’s continued to work steadily in the UK indie scene. He appeared in films like The Hooligan Factory and We Still Steal the Old Way. He’s always leaned into that dark, slightly eccentric energy that made the Count so iconic.
Then there's Clare Thomas, who played Ingrid. She was the breakout character for many—snarky, ambitious, and way better at being a vampire than Vlad. Clare has been a bit quieter on the acting front lately. She appeared in The Sarah Jane Adventures and Holby City shortly after the show, but she’s largely moved away from the frantic pace of TV lead roles.
Simon Ludders: The Hardest Working Man in Television
Honestly, Simon Ludders (Renfield) is everywhere. You might not recognize him without the grime and the frantic "Master!" shouting, but he is one of the most prolific character actors in Britain today.
Since Young Dracula ended, he's popped up in:
- Broadchurch (as Trevor Smith)
- Bridgerton (as Humboldt)
- Miss Scarlet and the Duke (as Barnabus Potts)
- The Diplomat on Netflix
He’s also a massive talent behind the camera, writing for shows like Stella and Gigglebiz. If you’re watching a prestige British drama and a guy with great comedic timing shows up for three episodes, there is a 50% chance it’s Renfield.
What Happened to the Van Helsings?
The dynamic between the Draculas and the Van Helsings was the heart of the first few seasons. Terence Maynard, who played the inept slayer Eric Van Helsing, has had a massive career transition. You probably saw him as Tony Stewart in Coronation Street or in the Netflix fantasy series The Witcher.
Terry Haywood, who played Jonno, has kept a lower profile. He did some work on The 411 and appeared in various shorts, but he hasn't been as active in the mainstream as his former co-stars.
The Mystery of Zoltan
We have to address the stuffed wolf in the room. Zoltan, the reanimated talking dog/wolf, was a fan favorite until he just... disappeared after Series 3.
There were rumors for years that the voice actor had passed away, but that’s actually not true. Andy Bradshaw, the voice of Zoltan, is still active and worked on film projects as recently as 2021. The show simply moved in a darker direction (the "Garside" years), and a talking stuffed animal didn't really fit the vibe of Vlad’s teenage angst.
Why Young Dracula Still Hits Different
The show worked because it didn't talk down to kids. It was dark. People actually died—remember when Van Helsing got mind-wiped and then killed? That was heavy for CBBC.
The young dracula cbbc cast had a chemistry that most kids' shows lack. They played the absurdity straight. Whether it was the early "Stokely" years with Robin Branagh (played by Craig Roberts, who is now a famous director and star of Submarine) or the later "high school" years with Erin (Sydney Rae White), the show always felt like it had stakes.
Where to Watch and What to Do Next
If you’re feeling nostalgic, most of the series is periodically available on BBC iPlayer in the UK or through various streaming services like Tubi or Amazon Prime depending on your region.
Your Next Steps:
- Check out Gerran Howell in The Pitt: It is the best way to see how much the "Young Dracula" has evolved as an actor.
- Follow Simon Ludders on Spotlight: If you're a fan of British TV, he's the one to watch—his range is actually incredible.
- Revisit Series 1: While the later seasons are more "epic," the small-town vibe of the first season remains some of the best British kids' TV ever made.
The legacy of the show lives on, mostly through a very active cult following on Reddit and Tumblr. It’s rare for a kids' show to stay this relevant 20 years after it started, but then again, the Draculas always were good at staying alive.
