Thanks for reporting on this, MB. I've been experiencing some nostalgia for what I can recall, which isn't much, from my one viewing of Alec Newman's performance as Barnabas in the abortive 2004 pilot.
I think Newman's may wind up having been my personal preference among those who have essayed the role after Jonathan Frid. Hope the pilot is included as an extra in one of the film DVDs that will be coming up eventually.
I saw something about Newman portraying Barnabas in one of the Big Finish CDs, too--I will have to go look that up again.
Best, G.