# Count Duckula (1988)

> A vegetarian vampire duck who was reincarnated with ketchup instead of blood tries to live up to his ancestors' fearsome legacy in a Transylvanian castle.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/2293

## Facts

- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 65
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, comedy, family
- Created by: Brian Cosgrove
- Network: ITV1
- Cast: David Jason, Jack May, Brian Trueman, Jimmy Hibbert, Barry Clayton, Ruby Wax
- TMDB rating: 7.4/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088500/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: whimsical, silly, cheerful, gentle, playful

## What critics say

Audiences rate the series positively as a lighthearted, affectionate vampire parody for children.

## Synopsis

Count Duckula (1988-1993) is a British animated children's comedy created by Brian Cosgrove for ITV1, produced by Thames Television and Cosgrove Hall Films. David Jason voices the title character, a vegetarian vampire duck who, after an accident of reincarnation, lacks any bloodlust because ketchup replaced blood in his new form. Jack May voices his loyal and long-suffering servant Igor, while Brian Trueman plays the nanny who keeps the household running and Jimmy Hibbert and Barry Clayton voice the rival doctors whose schemes keep stirring trouble. The engine of the show is the Count's constant effort to live up to the fearsome legacy of his ancestors while his castle staff, his schemes and his plans to be a proper vampire repeatedly backfire. Each episode is a self-contained gag-driven adventure, and the show runs across four seasons and sixty-five episodes as a family-friendly cartoon. Set in a gothic Transylvanian castle with a tongue-in-cheek approach to horror, it carries a warm, silly and cheerful tone. Fans of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! and The Addams Family will find similar comic gothic charm, and it suits children and families looking for an easy, lighthearted animated watch.

## Shows like Count Duckula

- [Bananaman (1983)](https://ember.film/tv/32106)
- [The Addams Family (1992)](https://ember.film/tv/12057)
- [Ruby Gloom (2006)](https://ember.film/tv/13197)
- [The Addams Family (1973)](https://ember.film/tv/12143)
- [Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002)](https://ember.film/tv/2403)
- [Beetlejuice (1989)](https://ember.film/tv/4075)
- [Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993)](https://ember.film/tv/12552)
- [The Adventures of Paddington Bear (1997)](https://ember.film/tv/10923)
- [Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994)](https://ember.film/tv/2305)
- [Alfred J. Kwak (1989)](https://ember.film/tv/1780)

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