Ultraviolet (TV serial)

Ultraviolet is a British television serial drama, written by Joe Ahearne and produced by World Productions for Channel 4 in 1998. It concerns a special police unit that hunts vampires, which are presented as a scientifically explainable phenomenon rather than a supernatural one.

The series centers on Detective Sergeant Michael Colefield, whose best friend Jack is murdered. Colefield is recruited by a secret organization that reveals vampires are real and that Jack was one of them. The unit, known only by its ultraviolet light code name, investigates and combats vampire activity, using technology and science to understand and neutralize the threat. Their methods involve exposure to ultraviolet light, specialized weaponry, and a strict code of secrecy.

The series starred Jack Davenport as Detective Sergeant Michael Colefield, Idris Elba as Vaughan Rice, Susannah Harker as Dr. Angela March, and Philip Quast as Father Pearse J. Harman.

Ultraviolet explored themes of faith, science, and the moral complexities of hunting a seemingly unstoppable enemy. It ran for six episodes and gained a cult following, although no second series was commissioned. The series was notable for its realistic and grounded portrayal of vampires, differentiating itself from traditional vampire lore. A US adaptation, starring Violet Davis, was produced in 2007 but was quickly cancelled after one season.