A Discovery of Witches

Diana Bishop is a reserved historian who has shut down her witch heritage and focused on academic life. When an ancient, magical manuscript appears in Oxford's library and reacts to her, she can't ignore the danger and attention it brings. Matthew Clairmont, a centuries-old vampire and scientist, becomes an uneasy ally, drawn by both the book's secrets and a growing connection to Diana. As they try to protect the manuscript, the pair are pulled into a fraught web of supernatural politics, scholarly mystery, and a love that crosses sharp cultural boundaries, all while hidden enemies watch their every move.

Adapted for television by Kate Brooke from Deborah Harkness' All Souls Trilogy, the series premiered in 2018 on Sky One and reached international audiences through various streaming partners. The production used a mix of on-location Oxford settings and European sites, with multiple directors across episodes to shape its visual tone.

The show wasn't a major player at mainstream awards ceremonies, but it did attract attention within genre circles and from critics for its production design and central performances. Reviewers and industry observers often singled out the leads for elevating the material, and the series' technical work, including costumes and location filming, was frequently noted.

Fans responded strongly to the mix of romance and lore, creating active online communities, fan art, and discussion threads that kept the story in public conversation between seasons. The adaptation also revived interest in Harkness' novels, and the Oxford backdrop helped sell the show's blend of academic atmosphere with supernatural elements to a broad audience.

Overall reception leans positive, reflected in a vote average of 7.8/10 from viewers. Audiences and critics praised Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode for their chemistry and the show's layered worldbuilding, while some pointed out uneven pacing and heavy exposition at times. The series foregrounds themes of forbidden love, the politics of coexistence among different species, and the tension between personal identity and historical legacy.