Robert Maaser and Olivia Applegate star in new drama series “The Black Dagger Brotherhood,” which was directed by Tosca Musk, the CEO and co-founder of the streaming service Passionflix.
The series focuses on a society (the “Black Dagger Brotherhood”) of vampire warriors that live together and defend their race against de-souled humans called lessers.
It is based on the famed paranormal romance book series, which were written by New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward.
Wrath (played by Robert Maaser) is the last purebred vampire and leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood; moreover, he is a formidable warrior with a vendetta against the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago.
His world is upended when Darius (Piotr Witkowski), a trusted fighter, is killed, leaving behind a half-breed daughter, Beth Randall (Olivia Applegate), unaware of her vampire heritage.
Wrath is reluctantly drawn into her life, determined to protect her during her dangerous transition into vampire-hood.
Beth, a human crime reporter, begins experiencing unsettling changes in her body. Her encounter with Wrath ignites a powerful attraction, leading her into a realm of dark desires and perilous revelations.
As their bond deepens, they must confront external threats and internal conflicts, thus navigating a world where love and danger intertwine.
Robert Maaser delivers a controlled performance as the stoic Wrath, while Olivia Applegate pulls off a dynamic performance as the brave, unflinching heroine Beth Randall, where the viewer can recall Kelly Monaco from “General Hospital” meets Neve Campbell (“Scream”).
Michael Roark is bold and badass as Butch (reminiscent of a young Matt Dillon
in “Crash”). Everybody in the cast is able to bring something distinct to the table.
The Verdict
Overall, “The Black Dagger Brotherhood” is a riveting new vampire series on Passionflix. It is not afraid to push the envelope, and it is unlike anything that is played on the streamers at the moment. It lives up to its tagline in that they were born to defend their kind, and now the war is coming.
It can be a bit gratuitous at times (as most romance series can get), where viewers can recall “Bridgerton” meets “Fifty Shades of Grey” coupled with elements of “The Matrix” and “The Vampire Diaries.” One thing is for certain… it will sustain the audience’s attention for its entire duration.
As a screenwriter and director, Tosca Musk deserves to be commended for her vision in bringing this series and J.R. Ward’s romance books to life.
Dedicated readers and fans of the book will find this series to be a real treat. “The Black Dagger Brotherhood” garners four out of five stars. Well done.
