Warning: Major spoilers for the ending of Castlevania: Nocturne below!

Summary

• Alucard returns in the finale of Castlevania: Nocturne to save the day, setting up big things for season 2.
• The events of the original Castlevania seem to have faded in the centuries between the two series, as characters like Annette haven't heard of Dracula or Alucard.
• Alucard's delayed entrance in Nocturne was intentional to allow viewers to invest in the new heroes and villains first, but his return will be crucial in helping undo Erzsebet Báthory's evil plans in season 2.

Alucard returned when all seemed lost in Castlevania: Nocturne, which means big things for season 2. Netflix's Castlevania was one of the first video game adaptations to receive a (mostly) positive critical reception. It managed to appeal to both fans of the games and newcomers, and after it came to an end after four seasons in 2021, a spinoff titled Nocturne was quickly announced. Given how audiences had grown to love the core cast of characters - consisting of Richard Armitage's Trevor Belmont, Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso), and James Callis' Alucard - Nocturne's announcement was met with a mixed response.

Thankfully this sequel series, which is set 300 years after the events of Castlevania, proved to be a worthy successor. Nocturne loosely adapts Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night and follows Trevor's descendant Richter (Edward Bluemel) and Speaker Maria (Pixie Davies) as they try to stop an apocalyptic vampire plot during the French Revolution. Despite their best efforts, they utterly fail to prevent Erzsebet Báthory (Franka Potente) from causing a solar eclipse that allows vampires to move during the daytime. In Castlevania: Nocturne's ending, when all looks hopeless, an old friend shows up to save the day/night.

Alucard Appears At The End Of Castlevania: Nocturne

After Erzsebet's eclipse has plunged the city into darkness, Richter, Maria and the other heroes flee from her vampire forces. Nocturne's other major villain Drolta (Elarica Johnson) gives chase and soon catches up to them. As she prepares to strike, she's suddenly impaled by Alucard's sword, and after Drolta takes a moment to reflect on her abrupt change in fortune, she perishes. Alucard then faces her minions, declaring himself the son of Dracula and that he will slay them all if they attack; they wisely flee instead.

It appears the events of the original Castlevania have largely faded in the centuries that have ed, as sorceress Annette (Thuso Mbedu) has never heard of Dracula, while Richter always thought Alucard was just a myth. Of course, Alucard quickly recognizes Richter as a Belmont descendant thanks to his trademark whip, but time will tell if the two become besties like Alucard became with the late Trevor.

Why Alucard Didn’t Show Up Sooner In Castlevania: Nocturne

While he showed up in the nick of time in Nocturne's finale, the question remains as to why Alucard didn't show up even sooner. Given that he's one of the most powerful vampires in existence, he may have been able to prevent Báthory's plot from succeeding had he appeared even a little earlier. This is a question Castlevania: Nocturne season 2 - which has since been confirmed by Netflix - will likely address, as Alucard's brief cameo in the finale doesn't have time to address it.

In the finale of the original series, Alucard was last seen with Sypha and Trevor as they planned to establish a village for the Danesti refugees following Death's defeat. Presumably, much has changed for Alucard in the centuries between Castlevania and Nocturne, and he may have even gone into another long slumber, which is how Trevor and Sypha first met the vampire in season 1. While he may have been late to the party in the spinoff, he will no doubt be instrumental in reversing Báthory's plan in the next series.

What Alucard’s Return Means For Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2

Given that Trevor and Sypha are very much human, there was little chance of them returning for Nocturne. The new series wisely decided to use the first season to establish the new heroes and villains instead before re-introducing Alucard, giving viewers a chance to invest in them first. In truth, the overpowered Alucard would have quickly turned the tide had he arrived before the season finale, so his delayed entrance was all the more impactful.

That doesn't mean he, Richter or the show's other heroes will have an easy time during the second season. Outside of possibly Dracula himself, Erzsebet Báthory might now be the most powerful vampire in existence with an army of vampires and night creatures at her command, in addition to some human allies. Alucard and his teleporting castle (assuming he still has it) will give the heroes time to regroup and plan how to undo the mess. That said, with Maria's mother Tera (Nastassja Kinski) now a vampire servant of Báthory, things are liable to get even more complicated for the spinoff's heroes.

Alucard's return was the perfect season 2 hook for Castlevania: Nocturne, and it will be interesting to see how the character has evolved in the 300 years since he last appeared. His return also leaves open the possibility that Dracula himself (Graham McTavish) could make an appearance, as the character was resurrected in season 4's finale without Alucard's knowledge. Father and son working together to save the world in the next season might just be enough to turn the tide in the heroes' favor.