Munster Express Online

Leigh Arnold

Leigh Arnold stars as the demonic ‘Vampire Queen’ in the web series, Mariana, commissioned as part of the RTE Storyland competition.

In the show, the former star of ‘The Clinic’ holds sway over a coven of beautiful, yet ferocious female vampires. They are hell bent on capturing the ‘sacred seed’ from the protective clutches of our eponymous heroine.

The ‘sacred seed’ in question is Tony, played by Chris Newman (Aisling’s Diary, Song for a Raggy Boy) – and his character is totally unaware that a group of evil man-eaters have him in their sight.

Fortunately for Tony another 400-year-old vampire, Mariana (played by in-demand Polish actress, Natalia Kostrzewa), has vowed to protect him against this demonic faction.

Many of Ireland’s talented, up-and-coming actors feature in this low budget, yet inventive take on the vampire genre. Cast includes Vanessa Matias-Fahy as Sandra, Aoibheann McCaul as Biliana, Eric Higgins as Sebastian and singer/actress Kellie Blaise as Zola.

Mariana is written by Waterford man Steven Stubbs and co-directed with editor and visual effects artist, Ray Sullivan. Episode 3 was shot on location in the Book Centre in Waterford and in the Pearse Museum, Dublin, during the last week of February.

Also, Waterford electro-rock super-group Fighting Spiders provides the theme song, ‘Here Come The Knives’, which is available for download on CDBaby.

Mariana is up against three other shows; the audience is asked to vote for their favourite and the show with the least number of votes is eliminated. One show gets voted out each month – meaning only one show will get to make a full six episodes.

Mariana can be seen exclusively on the official RTÉ Storyland website at www.rte.ie/storyland and also see the Facebook fanpage (search for Mariana – RTE Storyland) and on the show’s YouTube channel.