From the producers of Vikings: The Rise and Fall, The Frontier, Pirates: Captains or Crooks and Conquistadors: The Rise and Fall.
The legend, historical events and folklore of the Salem Witch Trials have captured the imaginations of artists, playwrights and historians across the world. How were 19 people executed for the undefined and proofless acts of witchcraft? Why did an entire body of law-makers believe in their conviction? And how were the witch trials accepted and spurred on by the people?
Beyond New England, witch trials had become a staple of the 16th and 17th centuries, not outlawed until the late 18th century. The worst of the trials followed a similar pattern of rumour, popular opinion, and with the point of a finger and the whisper of the word “witch” the hunt began.
The reasons behind witch trials varied but the crux of their intention was to assert power. Religious, political, personal and more often than not the trials were an assertion of patriarchy. And although witch trials were eventually outlawed across the world, herd mentality and platforms for mass hysteria continue to be a mainstay in our modern world.
There is no harsher judge than that of the mob.
Throughout this six-part series we will look behind the hysteria, meet the perpetrators and victims, and uncover the truth of the events that led to six of the world’s worst witch trials.
Each episode will be carefully crafted from an engaging mix of cinematic reconstructions - shot in the locations of the trials, modern day interviews accompanied by high-end cinematic graphics, sound design and music.
Episode 1
Germany: Trier Witch Trials
Episode 2
Scotland: North Berwick Witch Trials
Episode 3
Spain: Basque Witch Trials
Episode 4
Sweden: The Torsåker Witch Trials
Episode 5
America: The Salem Witch Trials
Episode 6
Ireland: Islandmagee Witch Trials