Everyone’s favorite anime horror series, Castlevania: Nocturne, is returning to Netflix, following on from a spectacular first season that left viewers screaming for more dark fantasy. The record-breaking show is said to feature “the biggest, craziest Castlevania fight scene ever,” according to its co-showrunner Kevin Kolde. Over the past decade, Netflix has been steadily building an impressive anime library. From original hits like Blue Eye Samurai and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners to licensed classics like My Happy Marriage and Demon Slayer, there’s something for everyone.
If you grew up watching classics like Sailor Moon or Dragon Ball Z, or even the infamous Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend—chances are it’s bound to spark some serious nostalgia. And Castlevania fits right in. The first of its four seasons made serious waves as the first video game adaptation to earn a certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s also among the top 22% of Netflix’s most-watched titles. While the original series technically wrapped up in 2021, its story is far from over thanks to Castlevania: Nocturne.
Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne dives deep into its gothic, “New Romantic” vibes, with some wild twists and turns along the way. Ready to catch up on all the drama? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is The Release Date For ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season 2?
The second season of Castlevania: Nocturne premieres on Thursday, January 16, 2025, picking up the story where the first season left off and taking us even deeper into its dark, folkloric world. The journey for Nocturne began back on April 16, 2021, when Deadline first broke the news that the show was in development. Reports teased that it would be set amid the chaos of the French Revolution, and it would include a new cast of characters, stepping away from the original Castlevania crew.
Fast forward to Netflix’s 2022 Geeked Week, and fans finally learned the title. A year later, the official cast was revealed on July 27, 2023, paving the way for the first season’s debut on September 28, 2023. Now, about 16 months after its explosive premiere, Season 2 is just around the corner, hence it’s time to get excited.
Where Can You Watch ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season 2?
Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne is heading to Netflix, and the best part? All eight episodes will drop at once. No weekly cliffhangers here, so you can binge the entire season in one sitting (as it was meant to be).
This season takes viewers deeper into the French countryside, moving between Machecoul and Paris, but it also shakes things up with a brand-new setting – Egypt. “Alucard’s research into Sekhmet has taken him to an ancient Egyptian temple, and we were flown there a few times,” creator and showrunner Clive Bradley teased in an interview with Tudum. A mix of gothic vibes and ancient mystique? Count us in.
Is There a ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season 2 Trailer?
Last month, Netflix dropped the official trailer for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, and it’s everything fans could hope for. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the trailer picks up right where we left off, showing vampire hunter Richter Belmont and his crew still reeling from their showdown with the formidable Erzsebet Báthory in the Season 1 finale.
The biggest highlight is Alucard’s dramatic return. The half-vampire is back and ready to team up with Richter and the rest of the group to take on the looming forces of darkness. It’s a reunion fans have been waiting for, and the dynamic between Alucard and Richter already promises some entertaining moments.
The trailer also teases the jaw-dropping action and stunning animation we’ve come to expect from the series. One standout moment shows Alucard slicing a demon clean in half (yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds). Plus, there’s a bit of fun banter between Richter and Alucard, complete with a casual nod to Castlevania legend Trevor Belmont.
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‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Director Offers Disappointing Season 3 Update
The animated series is available on Netflix.
Who Stars in ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season 2?
There’s been a shake-up behind the scenes for Castlevania: Nocturne. Bradley stepped in as the new writer, taking over from Warren Ellis, while Kolde, a co-executive producer on the original series, assumed the role of showrunner.
As for the cast, fan-favorites Richter (Edward Bluemel), Maria (Pixie Davies), Annette (Thuso Mbedu), Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt), and Tera (Nastassja Kinski) are all returning for Season 2, ready to continue their battle against the forces of darkness. But they’re not alone as there are some new additions to the voice cast.
Among the newcomers is Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs, Fargo), who plays Olrox, a vampire with a deeply personal history. Years ago, Olrox killed Richter’s mother, and now he faces the ultimate dilemma on whether he should join forces with his sworn enemy or allow for vampiric world domination.
On the villain side, The Bourne Identity’s Franka Potente steps into the role of Erzsebet Báthory, this season’s central antagonist. As the queen of vampires, Erzsebet has her sights set on ruling the world, and she’ll stop at nothing to claim absolute power. Her character takes loose inspiration from the folklore and contested history surrounding the real-life noblewoman who has become synonymous with dark legends.
What Is ‘Castlevania: Nocturne’ Season 2 About?
The masterminds behind the show, creators and showrunners Bradley and Kolde, along with directors Sam and Adam Deats, dove deep into Season 2’s high-stakes battle between humanity and the scheming vampire aristocrats determined to rule the world.
Returning characters from Season 1 come back changed—both emotionally and physically—after their disturbing run-ins with the dangerously elegant Erzsebet and her cadre of vampire elites.
When asked by Animation Magazine what makes Nocturne stand out from its predecessor, Bradley pointed to its historical setting, explaining, “Rondo of Blood, one of the games we draw on, takes place in 1792, right in the middle of the French Revolution. So, that seemed like a good place to start.”
Season 2 ups the ante as Richter Belmont and his team, now joined by the enigmatic Alucard (yes, that’s Dracula backwards), face a race against time. Erzsebet, already a formidable foe, is on the brink of unlocking the full power of the goddess Sekhmet, which would make her unstoppable and plunge the world into endless darkness.
Kolde revealed:
“Alucard is going to lead Richter and Annette to Paris to try and find the last element that would allow Erzsebet to achieve the full power of Sekhmet and become even more powerful than she was in Season 1.”
Alucard, a fan-favorite, is central to this season’s story. Bradley explains why the character resonates so deeply with viewers, explaining,
[He’s] mysterious, charismatic, and powerful… He’s half vampire — he has some of the powers of a vampire, but [he’s] not a vampire — so he inhabits that twilight world [with a] foot in both camps.
Kolde says that Alucard takes on the role of a reluctant mentor to Richter and Annette, noting, “I think Alucard has seen a lot of Belmonts during his time, but he finds a little bit of annoying joy with Richter.”
Season 2 also explores the evolving relationship between Richter and Annette. Kolde teases, “[Annette’s] being haunted by these images and spirits, and she’s trying to understand what’s going on.
“[If] she can figure out how to communicate with them the right way, to calm herself to listen, [she’ll realize] they’re really trying to communicate with her what she needs to do for her role in stopping Erzsebet,”
Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 will stream on Netflix from Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Richter Belmont, a descendant of the legendary vampire-hunting family, takes center stage as he confronts a resurgence of nightmarish creatures threatening humanity. Set in a richly detailed gothic universe, the series follows Richter’s journey as he hones his combat skills, discovers hidden truths about his lineage, and allies with other hunters. Each episode weaves together thrilling battles and deep lore, showcasing the relentless fight against the sinister forces that lurk in the shadows.
- Release Date
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September 28, 2023
- Seasons
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1
- Story By
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Clive Bradley
- Writers
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Clive Bradley
, Temi Oh
, Zodwa Nyoni - Franchise(s)
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Castlevania
- Directors
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Sam Deats
, Adam Deats - Showrunner
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Clive Bradley
, Kevin Kolde
Watch on Netflix
