Love and Blood
Love and Blood is an upcoming scripted vampire drama created specifically for the vertical screen. Developed by PurpleLight Pictures and directed by Dmitry (D. Mitry), the series blends supernatural lore, forbidden romance, and moral complexity in a richly layered, ensemble-led narrative.
The show is produced by Citlalli A. Ruiz, D. Mitry and lead actors Noémi Van Slyke and Eric Guilmette, who also star in the series. They are joined by executive producers Rick Davis and Bettina Bush, bringing together creative vision and industry expertise. The series is written and directed by D. Mitry, with co-writing by Citlalli A. Ruiz.
Starring Noémi Van Slyke, Eric Guilmette, Kyra Wisely, Mariah Moss, and Mark Pontarelli, Love and Blood stands out for its ambitious storytelling, cinematic visuals, and true ensemble structure—an achievement rarely seen in vertical content. With its elevated tone and immersive world-building, the series is crafted to captivate both longtime fans of vampire fiction and viewers drawn to emotionally resonant, character-driven drama.
Filmed on location in Guadalajara, Mexico, and featuring over 200 VFX shots and an original score by Finnish composer Lassi Tani, Love and Blood is not just a one-off series—it’s the beginning of a bold new franchise in mobile-first storytelling.
What Is Love and Blood?
Love and Blood is a vertical video series—each episode runs 90–120 seconds, optimized for smartphone viewing. With 51 episodes total, the full runtime is just over 60 minutes, creating a bingeable, cinematic experience that mirrors the pacing of a feature film.
The story follows Sophia Grey as she searches for her missing twin sister, Tina. Her investigation leads her into the mysterious and elite vampire-run nightclub known as The Red Veil, governed by the powerful Von Drák family. As Sophia delves deeper, she becomes entangled in a dangerous web of prophecy, power struggles, and emotionally charged relationships that challenge everything she thought she knew about her sister—and herself.
Character Guide: Who’s Who in Love and Blood
Each character in Love and Blood was written specifically for the actor portraying them. The creators conducted pre-filming discussions with the cast to tailor each role to their strengths, personal interests, and emotional range. Here’s what we know so far:
Sophia Grey – Noémi Van Slyke
A determined and emotionally grounded young woman. Sophia is smart, introspective, and unwilling to back down in her search for her sister. Her journey begins as an investigation and becomes a spiritual, emotional, and existential awakening. She is drawn into a world she doesn’t fully understand, forced to confront loss, love, and her own limits.
Noah Archer – Eric Guilmette
Mysterious, emotionally complex, and deeply connected to the vampire world, Noah plays a central role in guiding—or possibly manipulating—Sophia through her descent into the world of The Red Veil. Noah is both protector and enigma. His motivations are unclear, and his romantic entanglements complicate the unfolding events.
“We didn’t want this to be tropey or overdone. Noah’s story has weight—he’s lived with guilt, and that shows.” – Eric Guilmette
Amara Von Drák – Mariah Moss
Member of the ruling vampire family, cold, elegant, and emotionally restrained, Amara is as dangerous as she is captivating. Amara appears poised and collected, but her stillness masks deep internal conflict. She represents the old guard of vampire tradition but is not immune to change.
Mariah Moss collaborated on Amara’s costume design, requesting flowing skirts to reflect her character’s emotional control through visual movement.
“By the time the dark lip was on, I was her.” – Mariah Moss
Dorian Von Drák – Mark Pontarelli
The black sheep of the Von Drák dynasty, Dorian is sharp, commanding, and unapologetically defiant. Once a loyal strategist for the vampire elite, he’s become a thorn in the family’s side—driven by a forbidden love that challenges centuries of tradition. Calculating yet passionate, Dorian is torn between duty and desire, willing to risk it all.
Viktoria Voronov – Kyra Wisely
Viktoria is described by Kyra Wisely as “feral” and doesn’t need a weapon—“all she needs are two fists.” She’s not one-dimensional, but instead emotionally complex, offering viewers a morally ambiguous figure who challenges simple ideas of good and evil. Kyra was deeply moved by the script, saying she cried when reading it because Viktoria felt like a dramatized version of herself. The character allowed her to explore emotional depth rarely afforded in vertical roles.
Story Themes & Inspiration
Love and Blood is inspired by stories like Twilight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Vampire Diaries, and old Russian vampire legends. The tone is emotional and suspenseful, with a mix of fantasy and romance. Instead of following just one main character, the series tells the stories of several characters whose lives are closely connected. It blends romance, horror, mystery, and supernatural politics into one gripping tale.
Vampire Lore — What’s Included?
Here’s what we’ve learned so far from the cast about the vampire rules and lore used in Love and Blood—
Sunlight Weakness: ✅ Yes – Vampires avoid exposure to daylight.
Coffins: ❌ No – Coffins are not used, avoiding classic clichés.
Stakes: ❌ Replaced – Traditional wooden stakes are swapped for a unique dagger.
Crucifixes: ✅ Yes – Included subtly as part of the world-building.
Silver: ✅ Yes, you’ll have to wait and see
Holy Water: ❓ Unknown – Creators have kept this detail under wraps to avoid spoilers.
Garlic: ❌ Not included – Left out intentionally!
Invitation Rule: ❌ Not used – Instead, certain scenes feature “barrier” moments where characters are mysteriously unable to move.
Ancient Wisdom: ✅ Yes – Vampires are portrayed as timeless, emotionally complex beings.
Transformation Scenes: ✅ Yes – Subtle and stylized, focusing on emotional tone over gore.
Moral Ambiguity: ✅ Yes – Both human and vampire characters blur the lines between good and evil.
Power & Romance: ✅ Yes – Central to the story, with emotionally charged and adult themes.
Production Quality & Visual Style
Love and Blood sets a new standard for production quality in vertical storytelling. Filmed on location in Guadalajara, Mexico, the series makes full use of the city’s 500-year-old architecture to create an authentic and atmospheric vampire world—something that would be nearly impossible to achieve on a studio set.
The cinematography, led by Director of Photography Jonathan Wang, is carefully crafted to make the viewer feel fully immersed in the story. The production team has gone far beyond typical vertical series expectations, incorporating over 200 custom visual effects shots, compared to the average 50, and an original score composed by Finnish artist Lassi Tani specifically for the show. Complementing this is the richly detailed world built by Production Designer Linda Naitze Ruiz, whose vision brings a moody, gothic elegance to every frame
Costume design, led by Pamela Zuñiga, and makeup, headed by Vero G. Rios, were a highly collaborative process. Cast fittings took place on-site, with final looks carefully refined to reflect each character’s personality and emotional arc. Every detail—from nails to jewelry—was thoughtfully chosen to enhance the world of the story and help the actors fully embody their roles.
These creative choices reflect the team’s overall goal: to treat Love and Blood like a feature film, not just another mobile-first series.
What sets Love and Blood apart from traditional Vertical Dramas
Here’s what makes Love and Blood a potential game-changer in the vertical space:
True Ensemble Cast
Most verticals follow a simple romance between two characters. Love and Blood juggles three intersecting romantic plots and a wide cast of central players.Custom-Built Script for Cast
Roles were written specifically to match the actors’ strengths, emotional range, and personal experience. Cast members were consulted before filming.Franchise Vision
The series isn’t a standalone story. There are plans for:Prequels and spinoffs
Talk shows and behind-the-scenes extras
Merchandise
Long-term arcs planned over multiple seasons
Unprecedented Production Values
Original score
Bespoke costumes and props
International filming
Over 200 VFX shots
High post-production standards
Cinematic World-Building
The show uses vertical format but avoids overused tropes. No fake CEO plots, no sets reused endlessly, and no reliance on app trends.Respect for the Audience
Characters are morally complex. There are no cheap gimmicks, no caricatures. The writing trusts viewers to follow deep emotional threads and nuanced storytelling.
Release Date tbc
The release of Love and Blood is currently in post-production following the completion of filming in December 2024. The team is taking a feature film-style approach, with over 200 custom VFX shots, an original score, and detailed editing to ensure top-tier quality. While no official release date has been confirmed, the creators are focused on doing it right rather than rushing. Plans are in place for a live virtual premiere or a possible in-person event in Los Angeles—marking a first for vertical drama. As co-producer Eric Guilmette put it, “We’re treating this like a feature film… editing is slower because we’re doing it right.”
Love and Blood is shaping up to be a landmark entry in vertical storytelling—crafted with care, ambition, and long-term vision. Keep an eye on this page for the latest updates, exclusive insights, and new details as they’re revealed!
Follow Love & Blood series on Instagram @loveandbloodseries
