Carmilla (2014)
A groundbreaking queer vampire web series that reimagines a 19th-century Gothic novella for the YouTube generation.
Carmilla - Series Information
- Original Title: Carmilla
- First Air Year: 2014
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Created by: Jordan Hall, Jay Bennett et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (5 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 120
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: August 19, 2014 (United States - TV-PG)
- Networks: YouTube
- Production Companies: U by Kotex, Smokebomb Entertainment, Shift2, Shaftesbury Films
- Production Countries: Canada
Carmilla - Plot
Laura Hollis, a newly enrolled college student at Silas University, shares a room with Betty, who mysteriously disappears all of a sudden. Little does Laura know that after this fateful night, nothing will be the same in her life, starting with meeting her new roommate from hell, Carmilla Karnstein.
"Carmilla" is a single-camera, scripted transmedia series that puts a modern spin on the cult classic Gothic vampire novella by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. It's a story of a young woman's susceptibility to the attentions of a female vampire.
Carmilla - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see where the story of Laura and Carmilla begins.
Love will have its sacrifices
Carmilla - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jordan Hall
- Jay Bennett
- Steph Ouaknine
Main Cast
- Elise Bauman
- Natasha Negovanlis
- Annie Briggs
- Kaitlyn Alexander
- Sharon Belle
- Aaron Chartrand
- Sophia Walker
- Matt O'Connor
- Nicole Stamp
- Shannon Kook
Writers
- Jordan Hall
- Ellen Simpson
- Tamara Moulin
Executive Producers
- Scott Garvie
- Kaaren Whitney-Vernon
- Christina Jennings
Carmilla - FAQs
Is Carmilla based on a true story or book?
Carmilla is based on the 1872 Gothic novella of the same name by Irish author Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu — one of the earliest works of vampire fiction, predating Bram Stoker's Dracula by 26 years. The web series transplants the story to a modern university setting while preserving its core themes of obsession and supernatural desire.
What is Carmilla the web series about?
Carmilla follows Laura Hollis, a first-year student at the fictional Silas University, whose roommate mysteriously vanishes. Her replacement, the enigmatic Carmilla Karnstein, turns out to be far more dangerous than she appears. The series blends Gothic horror, dark comedy, and a central queer romance into a binge-worthy transmedia format.
Who plays Laura and Carmilla in the series?
Laura Hollis is played by Elise Bauman, whose warm, vlog-style performance anchors the entire series. Natasha Negovanlis portrays the brooding, centuries-old vampire Carmilla Karnstein with magnetic intensity. Their on-screen chemistry became a defining element of the show and earned the series a devoted international fanbase.
Is Carmilla an LGBT series?
Absolutely. Carmilla centers on a queer female romance and is widely celebrated as a landmark piece of LGBT representation in web television. The relationship between Laura and Carmilla is the emotional core of the story, and the series attracted a passionate LGBTQ+ audience who praised its authentic, unambiguous portrayal of a same-sex love story.
How many seasons and episodes does Carmilla have?
Carmilla ran for four seasons between 2014 and 2016, totalling 120 episodes across three main seasons and a collection of specials. Episodes are short — averaging around five minutes each — making the entire series easy to binge in a single weekend. A feature film, Carmilla (2017), later wrapped up the story.
Where can you watch Carmilla online?
Carmilla originally aired on YouTube, where many episodes remain publicly available on the KindaTV channel. Availability on other platforms may vary by region, so checking your local streaming services or digital storefronts is recommended for the most current viewing options.
How was Carmilla received by fans and critics?
Carmilla earned a passionate cult following and strong critical praise for its sharp writing, committed performances, and groundbreaking LGBT representation. It became one of the most-discussed web series of its era, winning a Streamy Award and demonstrating that short-form digital storytelling could deliver genuine emotional depth and narrative ambition.
What shows are similar to Carmilla?
If Carmilla won you over, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood offer longer vampire drama fixes. Being Human (both the UK and US versions) blends supernatural creatures with sharp character comedy. For the queer college-life angle, Girls and Felicity capture that coming-of-age intimacy, while Vampire Academy shares the supernatural campus setting.
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