Sarah Lancashire is trading her Happy Valley police badge for a much darker role in Witch Hunt, a new Netflix thriller from The Split creator Abi Morgan.
Deadline reports that the six-part series was announced during Netflix’s first UK Upfronts event, with Lancashire starring as August Howell, a woman who returns to her hometown after serving time in prison for drowning her three young daughters. Lancashire is no stranger to playing complicated characters, having won multiple BAFTAs for her work and most recently appearing as Reed in Netflix’s Black Doves. Now she’s taking on one of her darkest roles yet.
What is Witch Hunt about?
Witch Hunt follows August Howell, a descendent of the ‘Witch of Cambridge’. Released after 30 years in prison for drowning her three young daughters, she comes home to a community that does not want her back. But when concern grows that her return has triggered a modern day witch hunt in the university town, the police must turn to August’s last surviving daughter, Professor Wren Howell, to help find the killer.
Morgan has described the series as “gothic horror meets dark thriller laced with modern day witchcraft,” while also framing it as an emotionally charged story about a mother and daughter separated by three decades.
Who stars in Witch Hunt?
Sarah Lancashire is best known for playing Catherine Cawood in the acclaimed BBC crime drama Happy Valley, but she has continued taking on a wide range of roles since that series ended. She also stars in Netflix’s spy thriller Black Doves, and Witch Hunt marks another collaboration between Lancashire and Netflix.
Abi Morgan created and wrote the series and serves as an executive producer. Morgan previously created The Split and wrote Netflix’s limited series Eric, which starred Benedict Cumberbatch.
Witch Hunt is produced by SISTER Pictures, the company behind The Split, Black Doves, and Eric. Jane Featherstone is also an executive producer, with Holly Pullinger serving as producer.
Lancashire is clearly excited about the unusual role. The actress described Witch Hunt as “a brilliantly imagined and utterly compelling story” and said there is “so much to explore” in August.
Morgan, meanwhile, revealed that she has wanted to find the right role for Lancashire for more than two decades. “I last worked with Sarah Lancashire over 25 years ago,” Morgan said. “I have been chasing the perfect role for her ever since. This is it.”
When will Witch Hunt be on Netflix?
Netflix has not announced an exact premiere date for Witch Hunt. The series is currently part of the streamer’s upcoming lineup, with UK TV listings indicating a 2028 release window.
For now, Netflix has confirmed that Witch Hunt will consist of six episodes. Considering the combination of Lancashire, Morgan, and the Happy Valley-style crime elements, Witch Hunt could be an intriguing addition to Netflix’s lineup of dark British thrillers.
Does Witch Hunt sound like a show you would be interested in checking out on Netflix? Share your thoughts on this one by leaving a comment below.
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