YOU'D THINK something as bizarre as a crime-fighting vampire would be somewhat unique on television.

But "Blood Ties," a new Lifetime drama on Sunday night at 10, is following in the footsteps--should we say fangs?--of a handful of other offerings, including the "Blade" and "Angel" franchises.

Just recently, I reviewed "The Dresden Files" on Sci Fi, which offers up a good-natured wizard to fight against all manner of dark beasts and demons.

As these sorts of shows go, last week's debut of "Blood Ties," based on the best-selling Tanya Huff "Blood Books" series, wasn't a bad first outing.

It's got the key component--interesting, talented actors in the lead roles.

The most important one belongs to Kyle Schmid as the vampire, one Henry Fitzroy, the 450-year-old son of an English king.

With long, stylish hair and canine teeth that lengthen with the help of special effects, Schmid's Fitzroy is as believable as a vampire can be, sometimes given the help of some computer-generated super speed.

He's also as sexy as he needs to be to get sparks started with a private investigator named Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox).

Those who remember Cox's turn opposite Vin Diesel in "The Chronicles of Riddick" know that she's both attractive and competent as an actress.

And at least in the two-hour pilot, Cox and Schmid were able to provide a real spark onscreen, something required because romance between a modern woman and a 450-year-old vampire is one of the components of this and many of the other vampire sagas.

Maybe today's gals are just looking for a guy with some real bite to him who knows how to suck the blood from everyday life.

(Sorry, it's the whole vampire vibe.)

Lest we underestimate the appeal of the nightwalker sagas, just take a turn through the sci-fi and fantasy section of any bookstore.

Vampire series make up one of the fastest-growing genres.

The hard part, and it always is the toughest challenge facing a new show, is finding a way to make all of this seem somehow new and exciting week in and out.