UKTV takes The Strain with vampire deal

UKTV has acquired upcoming vampire drama The Strain from Fox.

The thirteen-part original series based upon the vampire book series by Guillermo del Toro and follows a doctor heading up a disease control unit as a mysterious virus breaks out, infecting people with an ancient strain of vampirism.

It was commissioned by Fox-owned cable channel FX in the US and is distributed by Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, which struck the UKTV deal.

FX Productions-produced The Strain will debut on FX this Sunday (July 13), and UKTV will run the thirteen-part series on its Watch channel from the autumn.

Del Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, who co-wrote the books, penned the pilot episode and will exec produce the series. Del Toro also directed the pilot. Carlton Cuse (Lost) is the showrunner.

Catherine Mackin, director of acquisitions, UKTV, said: “The Strain feels totally fresh in the horror/fantasy genre – forget everything you’ve seen about vampires, as this series will turn it on its head and leave you spinning.”