Audible has released its new audio adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, bringing the classic horror story to life with a full cast and immersive sound design.
The English-language production stars Jonathan Bailey (Wicked) as Dracula and Ella Purnell (Fallout) as Mina. The adaptation gives Mina a more active role as she hunts the vampire threatening the people around her.
Mina Takes the Fight to Dracula
“Playing Mina in this adaptation has been incredibly exciting because she’s not simply a victim in this story — she’s actively hunting Dracula herself. Their relationship becomes this intense game of cat and mouse, and Mina is absolutely determined to outsmart him and take him down,” Purnell said.
“What I love about this version is that it gives her real agency and puts her at the heart of the story. Acting for audio makes it so intimate; you really feel that psychological battle between them.”
Bailey said the audio format gave him a chance to explore Dracula through subtle vocal choices.
“With a character like Dracula, every inflection matters. You’re building an entire world through your voice, discovering the darkest corners of who he is,” Bailey said. “It’s the kind of role you dream about. I hope listeners feel that same sense of being utterly transported, and maybe slightly unnerved, when they press play.”
An All-Star Cast Enters Dracula’s World
The English-language cast also features Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus) as Lucy and Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes) as Jonathan. David Jonsson (Industry) plays Dr Seward, while Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread) portrays Mrs Westenra.
Johnny Flynn (Ripley) takes on the role of Renfield. Francis Lovehall (A Thousand Blows) plays Arthur, and Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) stars as Professor Van Helsing.
Mary Lambert Directs the New Adaptation
Award-winning director Mary Lambert, best known for the cult horror film Pet Sematary, makes her audiobook directing debut with the production. She described Stoker’s story as one that continues to resonate with modern audiences.
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a myth for the modern age. Stoker invented the vampire, who has become an iconic part of our culture and this Audio Drama is a brilliant reimagining of the ecstasy and horror of living forever,” Lambert said.
“Working in audio gave us space to focus on dramatic tension, build anticipation with music and pacing, and we hope audiences will be truly captivated by this adaptation.”
Mina Becomes the Hunter
The story begins when Mina Murray’s fiancé disappears in Transylvania. She begins piecing together letters, diary entries and disturbing testimony as she searches for the predator targeting the people she loves.
Mina soon discovers that Dracula is also hunting her. When her closest friend, Lucy, falls under his influence, the mysterious Professor Van Helsing arrives to fight the growing threat.
Mina’s intelligence and determination may prove critical to stopping Dracula. Her ability to connect hidden clues could make her the one person capable of defeating him, unless he has already found a way into her mind.
An Immersive New Production
Writer Robyn Ahern adapted the production for Audible. Ahern, a recipient of the Bisha K. Ali Screenwriters Fellowship, receives her first lead writing credit with the project.
Composer Ilan Eshkeri, whose previous work includes Audible’s 1984 and House of Guinness, created the original score. The production combines his music with an immersive soundscape designed to draw listeners deeper into the hunt between Mina and Dracula.
Audible Introduces a Character Guide
The release also marks the debut of Audible’s first Character Guide. The feature helps listeners follow the story’s large cast while they listen.
The player can identify who is speaking and display spoiler-safe character cards with narrator information. Audible is testing the feature as part of a limited beta.
Audible also plans to release an Interactive Story centered on Renfield in the coming months. The experience will allow listeners to shape a bonus story through direct conversations with the character.
Each interaction will influence how Renfield responds and how the story develops. Audible says the experiment is part of its exploration of AI-powered features designed to create deeper interaction with stories.
Dracula Expands Around the World
Several international versions of Dracula are also launching alongside the English-language production. The French adaptation stars Omar Sy as Dracula and Deva Cassel as Mina.
The Italian version features Riccardo Scamarcio and Benedetta Porcaroli. A Castilian Spanish adaptation stars Asier Etxeandia and Claudia Salas, while the Latin American version features José María de Tavira and Esmeralda Pimentel.
A German adaptation is scheduled for February 9, 2027. Matthias Schweighöfer and Jeanne Goursaud will take the lead roles.
A Brazilian Portuguese edition is also planned for 2027. Audible has not yet announced its cast.
Audible Continues Reimagining Literary Classics
Dracula joins Audible’s growing collection of original literary adaptations. Previous productions include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and George Orwell’s 1984.
With its ensemble cast, cinematic sound design and new interactive features, the latest adaptation gives Stoker’s classic vampire story a new audio-focused presentation.
