The Dark Side of the Sun

Michael J. Bird’s The Dark Side of the Sun is an engrossing six-part supernatural thriller that combines mystery, historical intrigue, and genuine menace against the stunning backdrop of the Greek island of Rhodes.

Best known for creating acclaimed Mediterranean dramas such as The Lotus Eaters, Who Pays the Ferryman?, and The Aphrodite Inheritance, Bird ventured into much darker territory here, crafting a story where ancient evil casts a long shadow over the modern world.

The series opens on international photographer Don Tierney (Patrick Mower), who arrives on Rhodes to work on a travel book, only to suffer a horrific fate. His wife Anne (Emily Richard) travels to the island to complete his unfinished assignment and quickly finds herself drawn into a web of secrets. She is aided by medieval historian David Bascombe (Christopher Scoular), but it is her encounter with the enigmatic Frenchman Raoul Lavalliere (Peter Egan) that drives the story into increasingly sinister territory. As Anne uncovers Lavalliere’s connection to her husband’s tragedy, she becomes the target of forces far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

What begins as a mystery gradually reveals itself as a tale of supernatural terror. Bird skilfully blends Rhodes’ rich history with a contemporary conspiracy involving a clandestine brotherhood of powerful financiers and politicians. At the heart of it all is Lavalliere, whose connection to a cruel medieval ancestor stretches back to the era of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers. The threat he poses is not merely physical. Possessing the ability to manipulate minds and assume another person’s identity, Lavalliere becomes a chilling embodiment of corruption and evil. His powers allow him to infiltrate lives, distort reality, and prey upon the vulnerable, creating an atmosphere of constant unease.

Peter Egan delivers a remarkable performance as Lavalliere, portraying him as charming, intelligent, and utterly ruthless. Rather than relying on overt displays of villainy, Egan presents evil as something seductive and calculating, making the character all the more disturbing. His presence dominates the series, and his ability to conceal monstrous intentions behind a cultured exterior turns every scene into a potential threat. It is a performance that lingers long after the final episode.

The historical dimension adds considerable depth. Bird draws on the turbulent history of Rhodes, the legacy of the Knights Templar, and medieval power struggles to create a backstory that feels both authentic and unsettling. The island itself becomes a character in the narrative, its ancient castles, fortified towns, and dramatic landscapes reinforcing the sense that the past is never truly buried. Filming at locations such as Lindos gives the production a striking visual identity, even if the cast endured unexpectedly harsh weather during the shoot.

According to Radio Times, the production was beset by difficulties — aside from the unseasonably bad weather, there were reports of  bouts of illness and frequent disagreements among the crew. Emily Richard recalled that a taxi strike forced the team to walk an hour into the centre of Rhodes. The magazine also noted that a friend had once warned Bird against writing about the Knights Templar, suggesting that misfortune would follow.

Although some contemporary critics were dismissive, viewers embraced the series, captivated by its blend of mystery, history, and supernatural horror. Bird wisely leaves the ending open to interpretation, ensuring that the menace never feels completely defeated. That ambiguity only enhances the lingering sense of dread, suggesting that evil may simply have moved elsewhere to continue its work. The BBC never commissioned a sequel.

Released on DVD in 2015 after decades of relative obscurity, The Dark Side of the Sun remains a distinctive British television drama. Atmospheric, intelligent, and genuinely unsettling, it is a compelling exploration of how ancient darkness can survive beneath the surface of the modern world. For those who enjoy supernatural thrillers with historical depth and a memorable villain, this overlooked gem is well worth rediscovering.