🎬 A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022) | A Love Story Between Magic and Science

TV Series
Fantasy, Drama, Romance, Supernatural
Release Date: September 14, 2018 (Season 1)
Final Season: 2022
Creator: Deborah Harkness (Based on her book series)
Main Cast:

  • Teresa Palmer as Diana Bishop
  • Matthew Goode as Matthew Clairmont
  • Alex Kingston as Sarah Bishop
  • Valarie Pettiford as Emily Mather
  • Malcolm Sinclair as Peter Knox

Plot Summary

A Discovery of Witches takes viewers on a mystical journey into a world where magic, science, and history collide. Based on Deborah Harkness’s All Souls trilogy, this series explores the forbidden love story between Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer), a witch and historian, and Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), a vampire and geneticist. Set against the backdrop of a world where witches, vampires, and daemons live in secret, the series begins when Diana discovers a magical manuscript, Ashmole 782, in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University—a book long thought lost to history.

Diana, a reluctant witch who has denied her magical heritage, is thrust into a world of dark forces as both witches and vampires want to get their hands on the powerful manuscript. In her search for answers, she forms an uneasy alliance with the enigmatic and centuries-old Matthew, whose hidden secrets and dangerous connections complicate their growing love.

As the series unfolds, Diana and Matthew embark on a thrilling quest to unlock the mysteries of Ashmole 782, facing enemies, navigating a turbulent world of supernatural politics, and confronting Diana’s own magical powers, which are far more powerful than she could ever imagine.


What Makes A Discovery of Witches Stand Out

  1. Historical Fantasy: The series combines rich historical settings with supernatural intrigue, blending real historical figures and events with the magical world of witches and vampires.
  2. Romantic Chemistry: The intense, forbidden romance between Diana and Matthew is at the heart of the series, captivating audiences with their compelling and dynamic relationship.
  3. Intricate World-Building: The show immerses viewers in a beautifully crafted world where magic and science intertwine, with detailed lore about witches, vampires, and daemons, as well as the complex political tensions between them.

Highlights

  • Magical Visuals: The show features visually stunning depictions of magical spells, time travel, and supernatural creatures, making it a treat for fans of fantasy and visual storytelling.
  • Powerful Female Lead: Diana’s journey from a scholar to a powerful witch is one of self-discovery and empowerment, making her a strong, relatable character.
  • Complex Characters and Relationships: Alongside Diana and Matthew’s love story, the series delves into a wide array of characters, from the fierce witch Sarah Bishop (Alex Kingston) to the morally ambiguous vampire Philippe de Clermont, enriching the narrative.

Reception

A Discovery of Witches received positive feedback for its atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and the chemistry between its leads. Fans of the All Souls book trilogy praised the show’s faithful adaptation, while newcomers to the story found it to be an engaging and captivating supernatural drama. The show’s mix of romance, historical intrigue, and magic proved to be a winning combination, making it a standout among other fantasy series.


Why You Should Watch

If you’re a fan of supernatural dramas that blend magic, history, and romance, A Discovery of Witches is the series for you. With its well-developed world, strong character arcs, and intriguing mystery, this series offers a rich, immersive experience for viewers. Whether you’re drawn to the forbidden romance between Diana and Matthew, or the dark, magical elements at play, A Discovery of Witches is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain


Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0
November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0
The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0
Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0
Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0
Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum
Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0
All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

Related Posts

ROGUE ONE 2: A STAR WARS STORY

ROGUE ONE 2: A STAR WARS STORY

Rogue One 2: A Star Wars Story (2025) is the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Set in the same Star Wars universe, this sequel picks up in the aftermath of the Rebel Alliance’s victory in Rogue One, where they successfully stole the Death Star plans from […]

Strange Magic 2 (2025)

Strange Magic 2 (2025)

The characters you know and love, including the headstrong fairy Marianne and the charming Bog King, must once again unite with their friends to fight the growing evil. Together, they embark on an exciting quest, discovering new realms and meeting new magical creatures, while struggling to overcome their fears and insecurities. Love, friendship, and bravery […]

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (2025)

Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (2025)

Lead actor: Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (2025) brings back the swashbuckling adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in this thrilling new installment of the iconic franchise. This time, Jack is faced with an even more treacherous journey as he seeks out a legendary treasure that could change the fate of the […]

[REC] 4: Apocalypse (2025)

[REC] 4: Apocalypse (2025)

Lead actress: Manuela Velasco [REC] 4: Apocalypse (2025) continues the terrifying, found-footage horror series that has kept audiences on the edge of their seats. After the events of the previous films, Angela Vidal (Manuela Velasco), the sole survivor of the previous outbreak, is rescued and taken to a quarantine ship offshore, isolated from the devastation […]

Jack the Giant Slayer 2 (2025)

Jack the Giant Slayer 2 (2025)

Lead Actor: Nicholas Hoult Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Jack the Giant Slayer 2 (2025) picks up where the epic fantasy adventure left off, bringing Jack (Nicholas Hoult) back into the world of giants and magic. After his victory over the fearsome giants in the first film, Jack has become a hero in his kingdom, but peace is […]

Jack Reacher 3 – Tom Cruise – Eva Green

Jack Reacher 3 – Tom Cruise – Eva Green

The long-awaited trailer for Jack Reacher 3 is finally here and fans of the series are getting excited. Starring the always charismatic Tom Cruise alongside the talented Eva Green, this installment promises to deliver intense action and thrilling suspense. Jack Reacher Returns A Ghost in the Dark We hear a haunting line: “You should have […]