The Marvel Cinematic Universe's upcoming Halloween special for Disney+ may have just cast a major vampire.
According to Deadline, The Nevers star Laura Donnelly has joined the show alongside Gael Garcia Bernal, who is potentially playing a version of Werewolf by Night. The outlet speculates that, if Garcia Bernal's role holds true, Donnelly may be playing Nina Price/Vampire by Night. In the comics, Price is a vampire/werewolf hybrid and the niece of Jack Russell/Werewolf by Night.
Created by Jeff Parker and Federica Manfredi, Vampire by Night first appeared in 2005's Amazing Fantasy #10. Like Russell, Price is a descendant of Grigori Russoff, who successfully killed Dracula, though he was bitten by a werewolf in the process. Due to the Darkhold, Grigori's progeny gained the ability to transform into werewolves. Eventually, Price was also bitten by a vampire, turning her into a hybrid. In the comics, Vampire by Night as been a member of such teams as Special Threat Assessment for Known Extranormalities (S.T.A.K.E.) and the S.H.I.E.L.D. Paranormal Containment Unit.
Donnelly is an Irish actor who is best known for her role as Amalia True in The Nevers. In addition to that movie, Donnelly has played a role in such projects as 2009's Dread and 2019's Tolkien. Due to her performance in The Ferryman, she won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2018.
At this time, it's not officially known when Marvel Studios' Halloween special will begin production. However, late last year, reports surfaced that the project would begin filming in Atlanta, GA, in February and March 2022 under the working title "Buzzcut." Casting information for the project makes clear the special will focus on Werewolf by Night, though additional plot details are not available at this time.
The MCU's Halloween special will be one in a long line of projects to hit the streaming service. In 2021, WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, What If...? and Hawkeye all released on Disney+. That trend will continue in 2022, with Marvel Studios expected to release Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, Ms. Marvel and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, among others, on the platform.
Marvel Studios' currently untitled Halloween special premieres later this year. No other casting information has been announced as of the time of writing.
Source: Deadline