In August of 1989 CBS aired a 2 hour movie that was to be the pilot for a proposed series called Nick Knight starring Rick Springfield as a vampire detective. The movie failed to bring in the promising ratings and numbers that were needed to launch it as a continuing series so CBS put it back on the proverbial shelf once again.

Forever Knight's true beginning came in May of 1992 when the pilot movie was redone and re-released as a two part pilot on
CBS again as "Forever Knight" and this time starring the very talented Geraint Wyn Davies in the title role as a Nicholas Knight a vampire in the City of Toronto as a Homicide Detective. This time the show did bring in the numbers and the ratings and was picked up to be a recurring series on their late night line up "Crimetime after Primetime".

Unfortunately this wouldn't be the easy ride for the show that it should have been it was only the beginning to a very bumpy road for FK fans everywhere. The first major hurtle that FK was to face was none other than David Letterman that's right Dave and his famous "Late Night Show". When the hit show was signed on and moved from NBC to CBS Forever Knight's slot was to be taken over by the King of late night TV. FK fans were informed that the show would be canceled the following December due to the Letterman move.

What CBS hadn't planned on was the die hard FK fans out there and they were bombarded with literally thousands of letters from a massive letter writing campaign as well as phone call that finally brought Tri-Star around and the beloved show back to the airwaves once again in November of 1993, and ran until the first season ended in August of 1994.

Season two of FK started out bumpy as well when actor Gary Farm left the show after the final episode of season one. Farmer who played the well liked Captain Joe Stonetree was replaced by Natsuko Ohama as Captain Amanda Cohen. Nick and Schanke were in a new precinct with the new Captain who kept a very watchful eye on both of them. The series even through the changes in stations and characters flourished and enjoyed arguably it's most popular season.

The relationships between Nick and his partner Schanke, Janette, and his increasingly romantic relationship with Natalie had fans on the edge of their seats and begging for more. But once again money grubbing studio execs still didn't appreciate or acknowledge the strong audience the show held and the show was once again looking at not being renewed for a third season even after the very strong second season.

Executive producer James Parriot turned once again to the fans of the show for their help. He asked that fans via the internet to once more let their voices be heard and tell the studio heads that they wanted a third season! And once again the fans were more than willing to bombard them with their love of the show and the desire to have another new season. The stations were literally overwhelmed with the responses of the fans to renew the much beloved show.

Parriot and the fans got their wish again as FK was picked back up for a third season to run on the USA network. This would seem like a happy ending but events were about to again take a downward spiraling turn for the fans. First came the announcement of the departure of the much loved and only actor to stay with FK through it's stint as the first 2 hour movie with Springfield and it's run through the 2 seasons of FK. John Kapelos who played Schanke was to leave the show indefinitely. Still reeling from this announcement fans soon learned that Ms. Ohama who played Capt. Cohen would also be leaving for good alongside Kapelos in an as yet undisclosed "closer" episode. Kapelos released a message to the fans through his fanclub that was as follows in May of 1995.

"I have been associated with "Forever Knight" since the development of the original "Nick Knight" series in 1988. I was the only cast member to continue with the series when it evolved into "Forever Knight" in 1992. After six years with the show, I feel it is time to move on to other projects. I wish Jim Parriott and my colleagues on the show continued success."

The losses were greatly felt throughout the fan base. And it was for certain that FK would never be the same again without Nick's loveable partner and comic relief Det. Schanke. However there was one more stake to the heart for fans as yet another regular character would make her departure leaving yet another hole in the much loved cast.
It was soon announced that Deborah Duchene who had played the vixen vamp Janette would also not be present for the third season. The fans were shocked and venomous over the departure and to this day it is still unclear why the actress left the show. She did make one final closer episode "Human Factor" late in the third season after speaking with her former actors and actresses and heard of the major outcry from the fans.

Three new additions stepped into the third season cast to replace the major gaps left by the three previous characters. Blue Mankuma would be the third captain in the series run Capt. Reese, Nick's New partner would be pretty blonde Det. Tracey Vetter played by actress Lisa Rider, and the new Vamp on the scene would come in the form of a 16th century vamp named Javier Vachon played by the very handsome Ben Bass. While the show would be around for season three sadly it would be the final season.

The heartbroken legion of fans learned in December of 1995 that USA would no longer be renewing the show after the season ended. One more time the dedicated fans did their best to save going above and beyond the call of duty to save their beloved show check out the Save Forever Knight webpage for more info on all of their outstanding efforts, but this time there was nothing they could do that would change the outcome. FK had meet it's last curtain call and the last episode aired in 1996.

But this still was not the end of Forever Knight the fans have kept the spirit and hope alive in many ways with fansites,fanfiction, etc. and they still write letters and lobby for the return of the show and more FK merchandise. Tristar has recently released the first two seasons on DVD, and the fans anxiously await the third to be released.