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HOLLYWOOD -- Appearing in practically every scene of the new TNT series "Witchblade," Yancy Butler admits she's "pretty beat. We have never probably worked less than a 14-hour day. We have definitely gone up to 18 hours. And by the time I go home and memorize the next day's lines, it's 19 hours. But I have been motivationally jazzed."

TNT aired a two-hour pilot for "Witchblade," based on the best-selling Top Cow comic book, last summer. The first of 11 hourlong episodes kicks off today at 9 p.m.

A cross between "NYPD Blue" and gothic fantasy, "Witchblade" follows the adventures of Sara Pezzini (Butler), a tough, honorable and sensitive New York detective whose search for justice brings her in contact with an ancient weapon. The Witchblade is so powerful that it can battle all of the Earth's darkest elements.

Since prehistoric time, the Witchblade has picked women of incredible power to wear it. Though possessing the Witchblade gives Sara even more powers, she also must learn to harness its abilities.

David Chokachi plays her partner, Jake McCartey; Anthony Cistaro is Kenneth Irons, a billionaire intent on possessing the Witchblade; Eric Etebari plays Irons' mysterious cohort, Ian Nottingham; and Will Yun Lee is Sara's slain former partner, who has become a ghostly guardian.

Executive producer Ralph Hemecker admits it has been tricky to balance the realistic and fantasy elements of the series.

"I am calling it 'gothic verite' because you want to keep the gothic-supernatural, sometimes sci-fi elements going as well as the reality," he says.

"It doesn't look silly," says Butler. "The great thing is, the audience is finding out with Sara what this thing can do."

As an example, Butler singles out a scene in the movie in which Sara walks into her precinct and sees a knight in shining armor.

"If this was a fantasy-based show, it wouldn't be as odd," says the actress. "But we are juxtaposing these two totally different worlds, and that is what makes it different and cool."

'Witchblade' airs Tuesdays on TNT. The premiere episode is rated TV-14-L-S-V (may be unsuitable for children younger than 14, with advisories for coarse language, sex and violence).