# Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale

Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale is an American supernatural drama television series written and created by Debbie Horsfield based on the 2020 novel Sanctuary: A Novel of Suspense, Witchcraft, and Small Town Secrets by V.V. James. The first season premiered on January 4, 2024, on Sundance Now. In August 2024, the series was renewed for a second season.

## Synopsis

In the fictional small English town of Sanctuary, witches have lived in the open for centuries as accepted and sacred members of the community. Sarah Fenn is a witch whom the townspeople rely on for remedies when other methods have failed. When Dan Whithall, a local teen, a rugby captain, and a bully is accidentally pushed to death at a party, his mother Abigail, out of her grief and convictions begin a modern witch hunt against Sarah believing her son to be a saint and Sarah's daughter, Harper whom Dan betrayed and abused for fun is the cause of her beloved son's death.

## Cast

* Elaine Cassidy as Sarah Fenn
* Hazel Doupe as Harper Fenn
* Stephanie Levi-John as DCI Maggie Knight
* Amy De Bhrún as Abigail Whithall
* Stephen Lord as Ted Bolt
* Darragh Gilhooly as Jake Bolt
* Adam Isla O’Brien as DC Ryan Henshall
* Cian Hoyne as Jonny Moloney
* Elish Liburd as Izzy Paterson
* Barry John Kinsella as Michael Whithall
* Sophie Mensah as Cheryl Lee
* Valerie O'Connor
* Kelly Campbell
* Jon De Barra as Freddie

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | "Episode 1" | Lisa Mulcahy | V.V. James and Debbie Horsfield | January 4, 2024 (2024-01-04) |
| 2 | "Episode 2" | Lisa Mulcahy | V.V. James and Debbie Horsfield | January 4, 2024 (2024-01-04) |
| 3 | "Episode 3" | Lisa Mulcahy | V.V. James and Debbie Horsfield | January 11, 2024 (2024-01-11) |
| 4 | "Episode 4" | Justin Molotnikov | V.V. James, Jessica Ruston, and Debbie Horsfield | January 18, 2024 (2024-01-18) |
| 5 | "Episode 5" | Justin Molotnikov | V.V. James, Gabbie Asher, and Debbie Horsfield | January 25, 2024 (2024-01-25) |
| 6 | "Episode 6" | Justin Molotnikov | V.V.James and Debbie Horsfield | February 1, 2024 (2024-02-01) |
| 7 | "Episode 7" | Unknown | Unknown | February 8, 2024 (2024-02-08) |

## Production
### Development

In August 2022, Sundance Now announced it had commissioned a new series Sanctuary based on the novel of the same name by V.V. James, who will also serve as an executive producer alongside Debra Hayward, Alison Owen, Alison Carpenter, Karen Richards, Debbie Horsfield, and Guymon Casady. Horsfield will also be serving as a writer on the series alongside Jess Ruston and Gabbie Asher. The series is directed by Lisa Mulcahy and Justin Molotnikov. Sanctuary will be an AMC production in partnership with Monumental Television.

### Casting

In August 2022 the cast was announced to include Elaine Cassidy, Hazel Doupe, Stephanie Levi-John, Amy De Bhrún, Abigail Whitehall. Further cast members were announced in October and December 2023 including Valerie O'Connor, Kelly Campbell, Stephen Lord, Darragh Gilhooly, Adam Isla O’Brien, Elish Liburd, Barry John Kinsella, and Sophie Mensah.

## Release

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale debuted with a two-episode premiere on January 4, 2024, exclusively on Sundance Now and AMC+, with new episodes airing weekly. The series premiered on AMC on January 5, 2025.