FOX finally has a firm premiere date for its vampire drama The Passage, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar. The series has been in the works at the network for some time now, and it was even featured during the FOX upfront presentation, though always with the intention of it bowing sometime in early 2019. That turns out to be the case, as the new extended trailer for the series not only gives a better look at some of the show’s bite-y baddies, it also confirms a January 2019 premiere date. 

The series, based on the trilogy of novels by Justin Cronin, is produced by Ridley Scott and Matt Reeves, with Friday Night Lights writer Liz Heldens serving as writer and executive producer. From what has been seen so far, FOX’s version of The Passage takes a more personal approach to the story, turning it into something of a road show between Gosselaar and co-star Saniyya Sidney, as Amy Belefonte. Amy, as it turns out, falls under the care of Gosselaar’s agent Brad Wolgast, as it becomes clear she’s a potential key to stopping the oncoming vampire crisis that’s at the heart of a dangerous government program. 

More: The Conners Series Premiere Review: Roseanne Without Roseanne

The new trailer for the series is an improvement over what was shown at the upfronts. This new version plays much more like the genre series The Passage was intended to be, but also balances those elements with a heartfelt drama between an orphaned little girl and the guy compelled to do the right thing to protect her. The pace feels a little less ponderous than before and the stakes seem higher — which is usually what happens when you throw in some vampires looking to make characters into a light snack. Check out the new trailer below:

The series also features a nearly unrecognizable Vincent Piazza (Boardwalk Empire) as Clark Richards, someone close to Wolgast who is also neck deep in the vampire-making business, as well as Jennifer Ferrin (The Knick) and Henry Ian Cusick (Lost, Inhumans). 

In all, the new trailer does look to be an improvement over what was shown before, and although The Passage seems tailor made for a big-budget feature film franchise, this smaller, more personal adaptation might just be poised to surprise fans of Cronin’s books. 

Next: House of Cards Review: Robin Wright Takes Command In Streamlined Final Season

The Passage premieres Monday, January 14 on FOX.