ITV drama about sadistic Scottish murder spree 'stands out in serial killer genre'

Laura Donnelly's eyes light up as she recalls the script for ITV's latest thriller, The Dark. She's handed a role that stands out in a crowded genre, one that typically portrays detectives as brooding, troubled individuals. Not this time. Monica Kennedy, the detective on the case, is an ordinary woman, trying to do an extremely difficult job. It's a refreshing take on a familiar trope, one that Donnelly is eager to explore.

The Dark follows the hunt for a serial killer, one that's murdering men in their teens and early twenties. As Monica investigates, the emotional fallout becomes the driving force behind the series. The audience experiences the case through the grief of the families caught in its wake. This is a departure from the usual focus on violence and gore, a trend that Donnelly is happy to resist. "We didn't deal with the usual serial killer drama where young women are violently killed in gratuitous ways," she explains. Instead, the series delves into the psychology and relationships within the community, highlighting the effect the crime has on those left behind.

One aspect of Monica's character that Donnelly is particularly proud of is her portrayal as a mother. In a genre where motherhood is often used as a defining characteristic, Donnelly wanted to subvert that expectation. "I'm really tired of answering questions like, How do you balance your career with looking after your daughter?" she says. Monica's work-life balance is not the focus of the series; instead, it's her humanity and ordinariness that shine through. This is a welcome respite from the typical female character archetypes, where motherhood is often the sole defining trait.

The Dark's success lies in its ability to tackle the serial killer genre in a fresh way. By focusing on the emotional reality of the families left behind, the series creates a sense of empathy and understanding. It's a departure from the usual formula, one that Donnelly and the producers are proud to have resisted. As the series unfolds, the audience is left with a haunting sense of unease, one that lingers long after the credits roll.

• The Dark is a new ITV thriller that follows the hunt for a serial killer
• The killer is targeting men in their teens and early twenties
• The series focuses on the emotional fallout of the crime on the families left behind
• Laura Donnelly stars as DI Monica Kennedy, a detective who is an ordinary woman trying to do a difficult job

As I watched The Dark, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The series is a masterclass in subtlety, one that never resorts to gratuitous violence or gore. Instead, it focuses on the human cost of the crime, creating a sense of empathy and understanding. It's a refreshing take on a familiar genre, one that I hope will be remembered for years to come.

In a world where serial killer dramas are a dime a dozen, The Dark stands out as a beacon of hope. It's a reminder that there's still room for innovation and creativity in the genre, and that the human cost of crime is just as important as the crime itself. As I finish writing this piece, I'm left with a sense of unease, one that I hope will linger with readers long after they finish watching the series.