The thriller, starring Tom Bateman as Dr. Jekyll's grandson, horrified viewers with scenes including a brutal murder and a violent fight with a half-human, half-dog creature at 6.30pm local time on Sunday night (25Oct15).

Broadcaster ITV has received 280 complaints, and officials at British regulatory body The Office of Communications (Ofcom) received 212 from viewers angry that the show aired before the U.K.'s TV watershed, which ensures material unsuitable for children is broadcast after 9pm.

ITV bosses have refused to change the air time for subsequent episodes, and added, "We issued a warning before the transmission of Jekyll and Hyde advising the parents of younger children they may find some scenes scary."

Ofcom officials are assessing complaints before deciding whether to launch an investigation.