Ultraviolet

1 9 9 8 (UK)
6 x 50 minute episodes

London copper Detective Sergeant Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) was investigating the disappearance of his partner and best friend Jack (Stephen Moyer) on the eve of his wedding when he stumbled across the existence of a secret government vampire-hunting unit – ‘Section V’.

The “ministry” was forced to recruit Michael when he realised that Jack had been corrupted and infected by the new vampire threat – although the word “vampire” was never used in the series. They were referred to officially as “Code Fives” (derived from the Roman numeral ‘V’) and unofficially as “leeches”.

There were some dark themes in this Channel 4 production, including HIV contaminating the blood supply (read “food chain”), vampires experimenting with humans as we would lab rats, abortion, paedophilia, and enemy forces infiltrating positions of power.

Each episode presented a self-contained story following the arc of Michael’s journey.

The producers used the stylish background of London to its maximum potential and used superb lighting and filters to add a very seedy and eerie atmosphere. The short series – written and directed by Joe Ahearne – was well-received by critics and viewers alike and was widely embraced as a cult favourite.

The American Fox network developed a US version of Ultraviolet in 2000. It starred Eric Thal, Joanna Going, and Mädchen Amick, with Idris Elba reprising his role from the British series. However, the American version did not progress beyond an unaired pilot.

DS Michael Colefield
Jack Davenport
Dr Angela “Angie” Marsh
Susannah Harker
Vaughan Rice
Idris Elba
Father Pearse J. Harman
Philip Quast
Kirsty
Colette Brown
Frances
Fiona Dolman
Jacob
Thomas Lockyer
Lestat
Sean Cernow
Dr Paul Hoyle
Corin Redgrave
Jack
Stephen Moyer

Episodes

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