When CBS announced Eternally Yours, a new sitcom about a married vampire couple navigating eternity while their daughter dates a human, it felt like a bold move. After all, the network hasn't exactly been known for supernatural fare since Ghosts became a surprise hit. But this isn't CBS's first rodeo with the undead. Back in 2007, the network took a very different swing at vampires with the moody, romantic drama Moonlight—a show that, despite its short life, left a lasting impression on fans and even influenced the vampire craze that followed.
A Vampire Noir With Heart
Moonlight starred Alex O'Loughlin as Mick St. John, a private investigator who also happens to be a vampire. When he teams up with journalist Beth Turner (Sophia Myles) to solve a murder, she uncovers his secret: he's been watching over her since she was a child, having saved her from a kidnapping decades earlier. The series blended classic noir detective tropes with vampire mythology, creating a unique tone that was equal parts brooding and romantic.
What set Moonlight apart was its inventive take on vampire lore. Sunlight didn't instantly kill vampires—it just weakened them. Garlic and holy water were useless. And vampire blood gave humans a euphoric high. This freed the writers to craft creative threats and mysteries, like the standout episode "Out of the Past," where Mick hunts a serial killer who knows exactly how to hurt a vampire.
Romance and Complications
The show also leaned heavily into drama, especially the tangled relationship between Mick and Beth. Early on, we learn that Beth's friend Morgan (Shannyn Sossamon) is actually Mick's ex-wife Coraline—the vampire who turned him. Meanwhile, Beth's boyfriend Josh (Jordan Belfi) adds another layer of tension. It's a classic love triangle, but with a supernatural twist that kept viewers hooked.
While vampire-human romances are now a dime a dozen, Moonlight handled it with a maturity and intensity that felt fresh at the time. It wasn't just about forbidden love; it was about the weight of immortality and the choices we make for the people we care about.
Behind the Scenes Trouble
Despite its promise, Moonlight faced an uphill battle from the start. David Greenwalt, known for his work on Angel, was originally attached as showrunner but had to step down due to health issues. The show premiered to mixed reviews, though it managed to build a small, dedicated fanbase. Then the 2007–2008 Writers' Guild strike hit, halting production and killing any momentum. The show was canceled after just one season, but it ended on a poignant note: Mick and Beth finally shared a kiss as he confessed his feelings.
Ahead of Its Time
Ironically, Moonlight was canceled just as the vampire genre exploded with Twilight. The show even found a second life on the CW in 2010, airing alongside The Vampire Diaries reruns—a pairing that made perfect sense given their shared blend of romance and supernatural drama. Alex O'Loughlin would go on to star in the Hawaii Five-0 reboot, but he later admitted that Moonlight felt like a "career error" because of the intense devotion of its fans, who could never see him as anyone but Mick St. John.
Now, with Eternally Yours on the horizon, CBS is hoping to recapture that magic—this time with a comedic twist. Whether it becomes the next Ghosts or fades like Moonlight remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: the network clearly believes vampires have staying power. And for those who want to revisit the original, Moonlight is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
If you're in the mood for more supernatural TV, check out our list of shows that hook you in the first ten minutes or dive into mystery masterpieces that changed the genre. And for a look at how other genres have been redefined, see how HBO's Watchmen broke the rules.
