'Midnight, Texas' Is A Very Different Show Than 'True Blood' — But Here's Why It Could Remind Vampire Fans Of 'Buffy'

In 2008, True Blood adapted Charlaine Harris's book characters into a drama that introduced millions of viewers to Sookie Stackhouse and a 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton. For eight seasons, viewers followed the strange happenings in the gothic town of Bon Temps, and when the series ended in August 2014, fans were bereft.

Fast forward to July 2017, and another Charlaine Harris creation is about to debut on the small screen: Midnight Texas will premiere on July 24th on NBC, and while lovers of True Blood might be hoping for some similarities, executive producer Monica Owusu-Breen clearly differentiates the series:

“I think for me what makes Midnight special is that it has this kind heart in the middle of it. All these people who have never felt at home or who have been persecuted or have suffered have found a place they’re accepted. That’s different from True Blood. From [True Blood‘s] first cold open that show was about desire and blood and body fluids.”

So Midnight, Texas may not remind viewers of True Blood, but there is one big part of the premise that may remind vampire fans of another beloved series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. According to Owusu-Breen, the town of Midnight is in the middle of a veil that separates this world and hell, much like the Hellmouth from Buffy. Once it opens, demons will come through, and all hell will break loose ... literally.

That means the citizens will be forced to face a tough decision. As Owusu-Breen states:

“And soon, there will be a decision to make: Flee the coming conflict or protect the place they’ve finally found a real home in?”

Any fan of Buffy will remember how the vampire slayer and her team fought valiantly to keep the Hellmouth sealed. So if there is a way to keep the veil from separating, odds are good, that's what the residents of Midnight, Texas will try to do.

It'll certainly be interesting to see how their battle differs from Buffy's — and if Midnight will be saved in the end or sacrificed for the greater good.

[Sources: EW.com and TV Insider]