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Debutante 'Van Helsing' series given second season

Not even halfway through its first season, monster-hunting fantasy series "Van Helsing" has been given the go-ahead for a second batch of episodes to start production early next year.

In a show of confidence and, possibly, a canny move to bump up ratings as the first season of "Van Helsing" reaches its mid-point (episode 5 is an October 14 broadcast,) TV network Syfy has ordered a second season of the show.

Starring Kelly Overton of fantasy horror "True Blood" and crime drama "Legends," "Van Helsing" follows Vanessa, the daughter of Bram Stoker's vampire-felling icon as she navigates a world overrun by the life-sucking beasts.

Creator Neil LaBute has won awards for his films "In the Company of Men" and "Sexting" -- even if "The Wicker Man" remake was not generally well received -- and predicted a "wonderful and terrifying road ahead" for Vanessa and the show's characters.

"This is a world and a story that can be sustained for many years and I am inspired to do so thanks to Syfy's obvious trust and commitment in the storytellers, cast and crew."