First look at FX's adaptation of Guillermo del Toro's 'THE STRAIN'

Today during FX's portion of the Television Critics Association winter press conference we got a glimpse at the new Guillermo del Toro produced “The Strain,” a highly-anticipated adaptation of his popular novel trilogy written with “The Town” novelist Chuck Hogan. The horror novel is a spin on the popular vampire genre, but of course rather than offering up sexy vampires these demons are plagues infesting the modern world.

In the brief clip we see a plane first filled with lively passengers that quickly turns to mass death. The plane is dark and as the scene went on scientists in hazmat suits investigate the dead. Until one final second when the lone survivor comes begging for help.

The special effects look pretty solid, especially a moment where a child’s skin turns from rosy to deathly green, but the real show stopper is the makeup of the parasitic vamps. Near the end we got a first glimpse and let me tell you, they looked horrifying. Like a cross between a leech and the creature from “Alien.”

While Executive Producer Carlton Cuse hinted that the vampires would not be sparkly or sexy, there is the potential for sex as the thirteen-episode first season evolves. Which of course is the FX way, but I was happy to hear that. Because I’m gross and my first thought was: “are these hot guys, like Corey Stoll (Dr. Ephraim Goodweather), going to take off their shirts?”

Cuse also noted that the book is just a jumping off point for the series, and will allow for the show to be a “richer and deeper experience” than the trilogy. Also, looks like if the series is a hit, it could be around for three to five seasons. Cuse and del Toro have big plans.

“The Strain” does not have a scheduled release date, but they are in production now with a suggested debut for late 2014.

--Gwen Reyes