Netflix’s Castlevania animated series stands out when it comes to adapted video-game material, primarily because it does justice to the video games it’s based on. The overall quality of the Castlevania animated series charmed not only the franchise’s fandom but also attracted newcomers to the gothic horror action-adventure world that the 1986 franchise has to offer. It received critical acclaim during its four-season run on Netflix, which includes an epic conclusion in which Trevor Belmont fights Death. This led to the creation of the sequel-series Castlevania: Nocturne.
Given just how attached the audiences have become to the original cast of characters, consisting of Richard Armitage’s Trevor Belmont, Alejandra Reynoso’s Sypha, and James Callis’ Alucard, the announcement of the follow-up series was met with a mixed response. Sequels are known to be soulless cash grabs that milk the original dry and recycle the plot leftovers in the hope that nobody notices the lack of flavor. But not Castlevania: Nocturne; the follow-up series matches the original in quality.
Now, Netflix has recently released a new teaser for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, confirming its return in January 2025. Judging by the trailer, the story picks up with Richter Belmont and his group facing near defeat against Erzsebet Bathory. But, more importantly, the teaser also features Alucard, one of the protagonists of the original series, emerging from the darkness and ready to join the fight. Considering that the new series is set some 300 years following the original, we’re left wondering just how Alucard fits in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2.
The series loosely adapts the stories of 1993’s Rondo of Blood and its sequel, Symphony of the Night, during which Richter Belmont, the descendant of Trevor Belmont, battles through Dracula’s castle to rescue his kidnapped beloved, while its sequel follows Alucard as he traverses Dracula’s castle and uncovers its many secrets. Unlike the games, the series follows Belmont, Speaker Maria, and a group of rebels trying to stop an apocalyptic vampire plot set during the French Revolution. However, as seen in the Season 1 conclusion, they’re not doing the best job.
Namely, Erzsebet Bathory, an ancient vampire queen and self-declared Vampire Messiah claiming to be the reincarnation of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet, has already caused a solar eclipse that plunged the city into darkness and allowed vampires to roam freely around the city. And just when things have taken a turn for the worst for our band of protagonists, an old friend shows up to save the day that has turned into the night — causing Drolta’s minions to flee in terror before the son of Dracula.
Admittedly, he couldn’t have come at a better moment in the series, considering that our protagonists faced certain death at the hands of Drolta and her vampires. However, his late arrival has left the fans wondering why he hadn’t appeared any sooner and why he appeared when he did. To be entirely honest, his late arrival makes more sense now, considering that the series would only last for a single season if he had appeared any sooner.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Castlevania, Alucard is the son of Count Dracula and one of the most powerful vampires in existence. His power could potentially rival that of Erzsebet Bathory, and he may have been able to prevent Erzsebet’s plan from succeeding had he appeared sooner in the series. Fortunately, Netflix chose to introduce us to the new cast of characters and allow us to invest ourselves in their narrative before introducing the overwhelming force that is Alucard to the series.
The question of Alucard’s absence, as well as his late appearance in the follow-up, will likely be addressed in the upcoming Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2. It’s a perfect hook that would keep fans interested in the series, and considering just how powerful and equipped Alucard is, he’ll likely be instrumental in stopping Erzsebet Bathory, her army of vampires and night creatures, as well as her human collaborators — including Maria’s mother Tesa who had become Erzsebet’s vampire servant in the conclusion of the first season.
Alucard’s reintroduction in the series could very well turn the tide of war, considering his power and the knowledge he possibly accumulated throughout the centuries (assuming he didn’t spend 300 years in a torpid sleep). His teleporting castle could provide the heroes with the means necessary to kill Bathory and undo the mess that she had created. Another possibility that fans are considering is the possible return of Dracula, who was resurrected in the original Castlevania series without anyone’s knowledge.
Considering that Dracula is the most powerful of all vampires, he, too, might prove instrumental in stopping Bathory. Or, he could take her side. Whatever the case, it would be interesting to see Alucard’s reaction to his father’s resurrection, especially since the two were always at odds with each other and the fact that Alucard killed Dracula in the series. Ultimately, Alucard’s reintroduction in the series promises more great storytelling, and we can’t wait for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 to drop at the beginning of 2025.