The Channel 4 show delves into the catalysts which allowed these executions to occur
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY CHANNEL 4
Gentleman Jack star Suranne Jones has been investigating witch trials in her new Channel 4 documentary. The new series begins with the Pendle witch trials which saw 10 people executed for “witchcraft” in 1612.
Exploring the many cultural and historical factors that play into a witch trial, Suranne acts as a brilliantly engaged interviewer who is keen to get to the crux of the truth. As the documentary unfolds, Suranne also heads to Salem, where 19 people were killed between 1692-3 in the infamous witch trials.
In the show, Suranne speaks about her fascination with witches, making her the perfect host for this new venture. In an interview with The Guardian, the actor said that she fell in love with the idea of witches growing up by seeing The Wizard Of Oz and Wicked. She added: “I perform a certain kind of magic. Actors perform a certain kind of magic.”
The documentary also draws parallels to the treatment of women today in society, asking vital questions about the impacts of misogyny. Suranne told The Guardian: “The really shocking part for me was learning how deeply ingrained misogynistic ideas from those times of the witch trials are; how they are still in the law books.”
Suranne added: “No matter how far we think we’ve come, when you look into it, you’re like, fuck, no wonder we keep getting stuck, because it has to change at such a deeper level, and only the government can do that.”
Many have already watched the documentary and taken to social media to express their reactions to the unsettling history behind the witch trials.
“I watched the Suranne Jones documentary about #Witches last night and I’ve been full of feminist rage ever since,” one user wrote on X. Others described it as “thought-provoking” and “brilliant”.
I think I would watch Suranne Jones investigate anything, but this #witches show on Channel 4 is interesting.
— Roz Laws (@rozlaws) June 23, 2024
#witches What a brilliant series! Suranne Jones is a great presenter/interviewer & the content was fascinating, enlightening & intelligently compiled and presented. I'd encourage everyone to watch this 2 part series & see how little we've evolved & progressed. More please!! 🙏
— Sally (@SalsRobbo) July 1, 2024
You can watch Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials on Channel 4 now.
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