FX's 'The Strain' took a labored approach through development, and while the first fright-filled hour of Guillermo del Toro's vampire drama will officially premiere on July 13, we have to wonder how FX will approach the series across its three books. Now, del Toro has confirmed that the series should run a total of five seasons, while the first official clip from 'The Strain' has also made its way online!

Discussing with BuzzFeed how FX's adaptation of 'The Strain' might deviate from the three novels in either character survival or storyline, del Toro remained adamant that he and showrunner Carlton Cuse had mapped through enough story for five seasons. For the moment, FX has only greenlit the first 13 episodes of the series, but has previously alluded to wanting del Toro to realize his full vision.

The first season is the first book, we have enough anecdotes in the second book to do two seasons, and I think that by the end of the third season, we’ll have enough threads of story to do another two seasons.

But then it ends. We will not go beyond the fifth season. I don’t want this to be a show that stays on until it’s not successful. I would like it to end the way the books are mapped. I don’t want to spoil, but we are going to do what we do at the end of the second book at the end of the second season — we will do that big finale. We know where we’re going and it’s exciting.

Based on del Toro’s 2009 novel trilogy, ‘The Strain’ follows Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (‘House of CardsCorey Stoll), a CDC operative who investigates a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

Also present among the cast are Regina King, Sean Astin (‘Lord of the Rings‘), Roger Cross (‘24‘), Leslie Hope, Robert Maillet (‘Pacific Rim‘), Mia Maestro (‘Alias’), Lauren Lee Smith, Miguel Gomez, Kevin Durand (‘LOST‘), David Bradley (‘Game of Thrones,’ replacing John Hurt) and Richard Sammel (‘Inglorious Basterds’). Former ‘LOST’ and current ‘Bates Motel‘ showrunner Carlton Cuse will helm FX’s adaptation from a screenplay by del Toro and novel co-writer Michael Hogan.

BuzzFeed also has the first official clip for the series (via the link below), but what do you think? Given what we've seen of 'The Strain,' does five seasons seem like a reasonable approach? Go behind the scenes in the clip above, and tell us in the comments if you'll tune into the July 13 premiere!

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