A NEWSPAPER REPORTER, HAUNTED BY HIS PAST, INVESTIGATES THE STRANGE AND UNEXPLAINED, IN "NIGHT STALKER," AN ALL-NEW MYSTERY SERIES PREMIERING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, ON ABC

Stuart Townsend and Gabrielle Union Star

A newspaper reporter who is haunted by his past investigates strange deaths and unexplained phenomena, asking questions that no one else will about cases the police can't - or won't - solve, in "Night Stalker," an all-new mystery series premiering THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Based on the cult favorite 70s classic, "Night Stalker," the series stars Stuart Townsend ("League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"), Gabrielle Union ("The Honeymooners"), Cotter Smith ("X2") and Eric Jungmann ("Not Another Teen Movie").

Eighteen months ago, a sudden attack on a deserted highway left Carl Kolchak (Townsend) injured but alive. His wife wasn't so lucky. Since then, the reporter's determination to find out who - or what -- killed her has led him to track other unexplained, violent deaths, all touched by the supernatural. He's trying to piece together a puzzle that keeps changing shape. How are the crimes related? Why do some victims end up with a strange red birthmark on their wrists?

Kolchak is convinced that something terrible is happening, but the authorities don't seem to agree with him, especially the FBI -- in their eyes, Kolchak is the no. 1 suspect in his wife's death.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," a murder shockingly like his wife's leads Kolchak to Los Angeles, where he has signed on as a reporter with the L.A. Beacon newspaper. The crime: A pregnant woman is attacked and murdered. Her husband is accused in her death, but Kolchak senses there's more to the story. Kolchak's colleague, senior crime reporter Perri Reed (Union) is just as eager to get to the bottom of things, but she's skeptical of his wild theories. Young and ambitious photographer Jain McManus (Jungmann) is a little more ready to go along with Kolchak. Together, they'll aid him as he tracks down the bizarre and the inexplicable, the stories you won't find printed in any newspaper.

"Night Stalker" stars Stuart Townsend as Carl Kolchak, Gabrielle Union as Perri Reed, Eric Jungmann as Jain McManus and Cotter Smith as Tony Vincenzo.

"Pilot" guest stars David Denman as Henry Gale, Ele (cq) Keats as Emily Gale, J. Marvin Campbell as deputy, Timothy McNeil as coroner, Clay Wilcox as Ed Medlock, Sarah LaFleur as Trish Medlock, Madeline Carroll as Julie Madlock, John Pyper-Ferguson as Agent Bernard Fain and Susan Misner as Irene.

"Pilot" was written by Frank Spotnitz and directed by Dan Sackheim.

Frank Spotnitz ("The X Files") is creator and executive producer of "Night Stalker." Dan Sackheim ("The X Files") is executive producer and director of the series, from Touchstone Television.

"Night Stalker" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

This program carries a TV-14,V parental guideline.